Air Central Launches East Midlands–Zhengzhou Freighter Service

Central China Longhao Airlines, also known as Air Central, began its new cargo service between East Midlands Airport in the United Kingdom and Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport in China in November 2026. A Boeing 747-400 freighter operated the inaugural arrival at East Midlands on 2 November.

Key details

• The route is scheduled to operate twice weekly.
• Adam Andrews, East Midlands Airport’s commercial director, described the service as evidence of the airport’s position in the Chinese air-cargo market.
• The airline is based in China’s Henan Province and took part in developing the Zhengzhou air-cargo hub.
• East Midlands Airport reported cargo-volume growth of 5% from January through September, with September up 6.3%. The comparison year was not specified.
• The airport’s cargo-development plans identify four runway-adjacent plots totaling 50 hectares and forecast a 54% rise in cargo-operation demand over two decades.
• An apron-layout change increased the number of stands able to handle wide-bodied aircraft from seven to 12, out of 27 cargo stands.

A Boeing 747-400 freighter made the inaugural arrival at East Midlands Airport on 2 November 2026.

Why it matters

The new connection gives freight operators a scheduled link between the UK’s East Midlands cargo airport and Zhengzhou, a Chinese air-cargo hub. The service adds to East Midlands’ cargo network as the airport reports growth in cargo volumes and sets out land and stand capacity for future development.