Central China Longhao Airlines Begins East Midlands Cargo Flights

Central China Longhao Airlines began scheduled cargo service to East Midlands Airport in early November 2026, with twice-weekly flights from Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport. The route marks the airline’s first service to the United Kingdom.

Key details

• The first reported arrival took place on 2 November 2026, using a Boeing 747-400 freighter.
• East Midlands Airport cargo volumes reached 36,000 tonnes in September, a reported 6.3% increase on the same month a year earlier.
• The airport aims to grow imports and exports from 400,000 tonnes to 500,000 tonnes by 2030, with an associated income increase of £10 million.
• The airport is recruiting a Head of Cargo Development to support cargo growth and build relationships across logistics, e-commerce, manufacturing, freight forwarding and trade bodies.

The first reported arrival, on 2 November 2026, was a Boeing 747-400 freighter from Zhengzhou.

Why it matters

The Zhengzhou link adds a UK destination to Longhao Airlines’ cargo network and brings another scheduled freighter service to East Midlands Airport. The airport’s cargo growth target sets a clear measure for its plans through 2030.