Details emerge about SF Express’ plans for new Chinese cargo hub

Asia-based express giant SF Express has revealed more details about plans to set up a huge new air cargo airport in central China.
The fast-growing company plans to build the airport in Ezhou City in the Hubei province of central China, according to Asia Times.
The airport will be able to handle 2.6m tonnes of airfreight and 1.5m passengers by 2025.
The airport will be built by a joint venture (JV) made up of SF Express unit SF Airport Investment and China VAST Industrial Urban Development Company, which have initially contributed Y40m and Y60m in the vehicle.
The JV will be responsible for the design, construction and operation of the airport.
According to reports, SF Airport Investment invested around Y470bn in VAST last year.
Asia Times said the companies hope the airport will eventually become the fourth busiest in the world and add that an area responsible for 80% of China’s GDP will be located within two hours flying time.
Reports that the “Chinese FedEx” plans to set up its own air cargo airport have been circulating for some time, with suggestions that the hub could be open by 2020.
However, this is the first time that the company has revealed that the hub will be established through a joint venture.
The plan to open an airport come as the express company continues to expand its fleet of aircraft through subsidiary SF Airlines.
In November, SF Airlines operated a fleet of 36 freighters consisting of Boeing 767, B757 and B737 aircraft, which covered 34 cities nationwide.