Published by ChinaMNC · Ruian

Wenzhou Airport Cargo Hits 100,000 Tonnes: What Foreign Founders Should Know

Wenzhou Longwan International Airport's cargo terminal passed 100,000 tonnes of cargo and mail throughput on 18 October, four days earlier than the previous year and the earliest date on record. Here is what the milestone reveals about air cargo capacity, route networks and industrial links for foreign founders operating in China.

Wenzhou Airport Cargo Terminal Passes 100,000 Tonnes

Wenzhou Longwan International Airport's cargo station has passed the 100,000-tonne mark for cargo and mail throughput, reaching the figure on 18 October — four days earlier than in the previous year and the earliest date on record for hitting that threshold. The airport described the result as a step up in cargo handling capacity and evidence of strong growth momentum.

For foreign founders registering or running a company in China, the milestone is a useful signal about the air-freight options available in southern Zhejiang and how they connect to local manufacturing and agricultural supply chains.

Growth Against a Difficult Backdrop

The airport noted that the external environment has been complex, with foreign trade demand fluctuating, competition among nearby airports intensifying and pressure to divert regional cargo. Against that background, the earlier completion of the 100,000-tonne milestone was presented as evidence of resilience. The airport attributed the result to three areas: multiple breakthroughs in market development, safety and service working together, and deeper coordination with local industries.

Route Network and Cargo Capacity

Passenger Belly Hold and Land-to-Air Cargo

The cargo station has continued to develop domestic belly-hold capacity, improve loading efficiency and expand land-to-air transfer business. On the international side, it has strengthened belly-hold operations and opened several cross-border cold-chain channels.

New All-Cargo Routes

• New international all-cargo routes: Wenzhou–Jakarta and Wenzhou–Dhaka.
• New domestic all-cargo route: Haikou–Wenzhou–Shenzhen.
• Resumed route: Wenzhou–Zhengzhou.
• Key routes to Seoul and Manila are operating effectively, with load factors reported among the highest in the country.

Commodity Flows Relevant to Founders

The airport reported several concrete cargo flows that may matter to companies sourcing or shipping from the region:

• Imports: fresh Chilean salmon and Spanish Iberian ham have landed at the Wenzhou port of entry through cross-border cold-chain channels.
• Exports: a first shipment of frozen mackerel was completed, and Zhejiang-southern specialty produce — including shiitake mushrooms, winter bamboo shoots and bayberries — continues to be flown overseas.
• Lithium batteries: exports have reached 367.30 tonnes, equal to 127 times the volume shipped in the whole of 2025.
• High-timing electronics: integrated circuits and printed circuit boards handled this year have reached nearly 900 tonnes.

Safety and Service Measures

The airport said cargo growth has been matched by work on safety and service. On safety, it has tightened oversight of the entire apron loading process, advanced standardised job roles, improved visual operating instructions, run safety training and assessments, conducted manual reviews, set up a hazard exposure platform and reinforced safety responsibilities at every level.

On service, the cargo station has set up a multi-party coordination mechanism with airlines, customs and freight forwarders, opened green channels, shortened customs inspection times and supported fast movement of fresh and high-value goods. It has also introduced full-process traceability for apron operations and detailed protection standards for special cargo such as lithium batteries, cold-chain goods and electronic components.

Links to Local Industry

Air logistics is being tied more closely to local industry. The airport handles high-timing goods such as integrated circuits and printed circuit boards, and has used its cold-chain port status to connect air transport, customs clearance and distribution for fresh imports, building a two-way flow in which local goods go out and overseas goods come into Wenzhou.

What This Means for Foreign Founders

For founders setting up or operating a company in China, particularly in Zhejiang, the airport's development offers several practical takeaways:

• Cold-chain access: cross-border cold-chain channels support both imports of perishable goods and exports of fresh produce, relevant to food, agriculture and e-commerce businesses.
• Special cargo capability: documented handling standards for lithium batteries, cold-chain products and electronic components matter for companies shipping these categories.
• Customs coordination: the multi-party mechanism with airlines, customs and forwarders, together with green channels, may shorten clearance times for time-sensitive shipments.
• Industrial fit: the airport's focus on integrated circuits, printed circuit boards and local agricultural products suggests where regional air-freight capacity is concentrated.

Founders should still verify route schedules, carrier availability, customs requirements and handling rules for their specific products with the airport, their freight forwarder and local customs, as these change over time.

The airport said that after passing the 100,000-tonne threshold it will continue to expand domestic and international cargo channels and deepen the integration of industry and aviation, contributing air-cargo capacity to Wenzhou's opening-up and local economic development.

This summary is based on information published by the relevant Chinese government website and is general information, not legal or tax advice.