A new freighter service has been inaugurated between Urumqi, located in northwest China, and Bournemouth Airport in the UK. According to Xinhua, Urumqi Diwopu International Airport has announced that this service will operate four round trips per week, with each flight taking approximately ten hours. This new route adds to the airport's growing network of freight connections, which now spans eight countries including Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Georgia, and Hungary.

Bournemouth Airport, which is part of the Regional and City Airports (RCA) group, has been making strides in becoming a key player in air cargo. The airport, along with its in-house handling arm, Cargo First, has developed into a significant air cargo hub in the south of England. It is home to European Cargo's fleet of Airbus A340-600 freighters and currently handles regular cargo flights from Chengdu and Haikou, China.

In recent developments, European Cargo and Cargo First have been expanding their operations. They announced preparations for adding three more Airbus A340 freighters, with a fourth aircraft joining in July and two additional planes expected before October. However, the specific routes for these new freighters have yet to be confirmed. Additionally, Cargo First has bolstered its workforce, hiring 15 new staff members over the past year to support roles in warehousing, aircraft handling, and security.

Bournemouth Airport has increasingly positioned itself as a viable alternative to the crowded London airports. It has become a significant import center for the UK e-commerce market, one of the largest globally. In a related development, SF Airlines recently launched a new cargo route between Urumqi and Budapest, Hungary, to cater to the rising demand for e-commerce, agricultural, and specialty products.