China Southern Airlines flight CZ3640 prepares to depart Nantong on Oct 25. [Photo/WeChat account: ntjoy2012]

Nantong Xingdong International Airport in Jiangsu province has launched a regular air cargo service connecting Nantong with Hanoi in Vietnam via Guangzhou, Guangdong province, opening a new logistics channel for businesses in eastern China seeking access to Southeast Asian markets.

The service began on Oct 25, when China Southern Airlines flight CZ3640 departed Nantong at 4:40 pm carrying 134 packages of textile materials weighing 2,536 kilograms. The shipment was transferred at Guangzhou, the airline's major hub, before continuing to Hanoi.

The route combines the airport's cargo handling capabilities with China Southern Airlines' established transfer network and belly-hold and freighter capacity. It is expected to offer textile and garment manufacturers in Nantong and surrounding areas a reliable and cost-effective option for shipping raw materials and finished products overseas.

The Nantong airport has expanded its international cargo network through connections at major Chinese cities — Zhengzhou, Shenzhen, Beijing and Guangzhou. Since launching a freighter service linking Nantong and international destinations via Zhengzhou in 2023, it has extended its reach to cities across Southeast and South Asia, as well as Milan in Italy, and Zaragoza in Spain.

From January to September, the airport handled 7,500 metric tons of international air cargo, up 21.8 percent year-on-year. Cross-border e-commerce exports accounted for 75.1 percent of outbound international cargo.

The airport has also opened customs-supervised facilities for imported fruit, chilled seafood and aquatic animals, becoming the third airport in Jiangsu province authorized to handle all of the three categories. The move is expected to strengthen inbound cargo flows and support the development of two-way air freight services.