Amazon launches direct air freight service to China

1 min readUpdated May 26, 2025Jun 2, 201712:03 AM

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Retail giant Amazon has launched direct cargo flights from the US to Zhengzhou, capital of central China’s Henan Province.

The planes which were carrying products, including food, clothes and household appliances ordered by Chinese buyers, flew from New York, Chicago and Los Angels to the Chinese transportation hub, Xinhua news agency reported on Wednesday.

Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport offered good logistics services to cross-border e-commerce platforms, sources with Amazon logistics services provider WherExpress.

The airport provided swift customs clearance, and the imports will now be distributed to consumers nationwide.

Amazon had said in March that it was “currently developing the air cargo service (for China) and will introduce it soon”.

The airport in Zhengzhou posted 275,000 tonnes of throughput of imported cargo in 2016, which included imported fruit, aquatic products, meat and live Australian cattle.

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What this means

Amazon's new direct air freight service to Zhengzhou represents a decisive play to control its logistics, rather than relying solely on third parties. This strategic investment in infrastructure will enhance customer experience and operational efficiency, putting significant pressure on local e-commerce players and global competitors. Unlike Alo Yoga's partnership approach with Tmall, Amazon is building its own backbone, a move that parallels Alibaba's own extensive logistics investments. While it mitigates reliance on external providers, the high capital outlay and complexity of managing international air freight could pose a risk if market penetration isn't swift. Watch for any announcements regarding new Amazon distribution centres in China.

Aiko Tanaka · Retail News Asia newsroom

Questions & Answers

What types of goods are being transported on Amazon's new direct air freight service to China?

The planes are carrying products such as food, clothes, and household appliances. These items have been ordered by Chinese buyers through Amazon's platform.

Which specific cities in the US are the direct cargo flights departing from?

The direct cargo flights from Amazon are departing from New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles. They are flying directly to Zhengzhou, China.

Why was Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport chosen as the destination for these flights?

Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport was chosen because it offers good logistics services for cross-border e-commerce platforms. It also provides swift customs clearance, which helps distribute imports to consumers nationwide.

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