Hainan Free Trade Port Opens First Cargo Route to Africa

On October 2, a B767-300 freighter carrying 48 tons of goods took off smoothly from Haikou Meilan International Airport, operated by Hainan Holdings. After a stopover in Nairobi, Kenya, the flight continued on to Johannesburg, South Africa, marking the official launch of the Hainan Free Trade Port’s first direct international cargo route to Africa: “Haikou–Nairobi–Johannesburg.” The new route further deepens China-Africa economic and trade cooperation.

The “Haikou–Nairobi–Johannesburg” cargo route officially launched. (Photo courtesy of Haikou Meilan Airport)

The “Haikou–Nairobi–Johannesburg” cargo route officially launched. (Photo courtesy of Haikou Meilan Airport)

Since the beginning of this year, Meilan Airport has operated a total of seven international cargo routes: Haikou ⇌ Paris, Tbilisi–Haikou–Milan, Haikou ⇌ Tbilisi, Haikou–Cyprus–Rome, Tbilisi–Tel Aviv–Haikou, Tbilisi–Haikou–Paris, and Haikou–Nairobi–Johannesburg. These routes connect Haikou with eight international cargo destinations, initially forming a cargo network radiating from Haikou and covering Europe, West Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. As of October 1, the airport’s international cargo and mail throughput reached approximately 18,132 tons.

Cargo being transported by staff. (Photo courtesy of Haikou Meilan Airport)

Looking ahead, Meilan Airport will leverage the policy and geographical advantages of the Hainan Free Trade Port to further optimize its cargo route layout, accelerate automation in cargo terminals, improve port facilitation, and upgrade freight infrastructure—driving Hainan Free Trade Port’s foreign trade and industrial development to new heights.