Imagine specialty goods from Xinjiang that once took a circuitous journey to reach friends in the Balkans. Now, a Boeing 757 freighter loaded with cross-border e-commerce cargo can fly directly from Ürümqi to Belgrade in just 10 hours. This newly launched air route serves as an aerial expressway, significantly reducing logistics distances between China and Europe.
A Strategic Hub for the Silk Road
The route is no coincidence. It reflects the Xinjiang Airport Group's strategic vision to position the region as a core area of the Silk Road Economic Belt. After achieving record-breaking cargo volumes in 2024, the group has actively expanded its international freight network. Ürümqi Diwopu International Airport is emerging as a critical logistics hub connecting Central Asia and Europe, potentially streamlining cargo transfers between China and Europe in both directions.
The Economic Impact
The numbers underscore the route's significance. China-Serbia trade reached €7 billion in 2024, with Belgrade's strategic location as a transportation and trade nexus in Eastern Europe. This direct air link not only expands trade channels but also reduces logistics costs and improves efficiency. The result? Faster delivery times and lower shipping fees that ultimately benefit consumers.
More than just another flight path, the Ürümqi-Belgrade cargo route represents a milestone in Xinjiang's ambition to become an international aviation hub along the Silk Road. As a new engine for China-Europe trade, it promises to reinvigorate economic exchanges and make global commerce more accessible than ever.