At 8:52 on May 26, flight FM7035, loaded with epidemic prevention supplies, articles of everyday use and goods for cross-border e-commerce, took off from Ningbo Lishe International Airport and headed for Budapest, Hungary, marking the official launch of the cargo route between Ningbo and Budapest. This is Ningbo airport’s first direct cargo route to Central and Eastern European countries.

A regular flight operated by China Eastern Airlines, the Ningbo-Budapest cargo route runs two flights every week, departing from Ningbo on the morning of Wednesday and Friday and returning to Ningbo on the morning of Thursday and Saturday. The maximum cargo capacity of a one-way flight can reach 35 tons. The route will be in operation for six months on a trial basis, and 60% to 70% of the round-trip cargo volume of the first flight will be organized by local air freight agents in Ningbo.

Budapest, the capital of Hungary, is located in the hinterland of the European continent with easy access to all modes of transportation. In recent years, trade between Ningbo and Central and Eastern Europe, especially Hungary, has been developing rapidly. From January to April 2021, Ningbo’s import and export to 17 Central and Eastern European countries reached 11.96 billion yuan, up 48.8% year-on-year; in fact, its import growth rate reached 241.2%, hitting a record high.

At present, Hungary is the Ningbo’s fifth largest trading partner in Central and Eastern Europe. The launching of the cargo route is destined to bring more impetus to trade between the two sides, better serve the China-CEEC Expo and facilitate the construction of the China-CEEC Economic and Trade Cooperation Demonstration Zone in Ningbo. Indeed, Ningbo Airport Group has long attached great importance to the development of air freight with Hungary.

In November 2015, Ningbo Airport Group and Budapest Airport signed a memorandum of cooperation, and became sister airports. The two airports have achieved comprehensive cooperation in passenger and cargo market development, route planning, personnel exchanges, among other areas. In June 2016, during the second Central and Eastern European Countries Investment and Trade Expo, Ningbo Lishe International Airport even opened a direct chartered flight to Budapest.

For the 2021 China-CEEC Expo, together with local governmental agencies, Ningbo Airport Group has taken various measures, including logistical support, rapid customs clearance, epidemic control, etc. to ensure a smooth running of the international fair.