By Wang Lei and Cheng Zhongyu | wuhudaily.cn

The aviation port opening project of Wuhu Xuanzhou Airport has been included in the national 15th Five-Year Plan for Port Modernization, according to the municipal commerce bureau. The inclusion marks a crucial step toward the airport's official opening as an aviation port, providing strong impetus for Wuhu's high-level opening-up.

Wuhu Xuanzhou Airport is a vital part of the world-class airport cluster in the Yangtze River Delta. Following the principle of developing both passenger and cargo services with a focus on air freight, Wuhu has accelerated the airport's expansion, promoted the official opening of its aviation port and continued to expand its international cargo network. To date, the airport has opened 22 all-cargo routes, including eight international freight routes. From January to June this year, international cargo and mail throughput exceeded 10,200 metric tons.

In March 2024, the national port administration office approved the temporary opening of the airport's cargo operations. As a result, Wuhu became the only city in Anhui with both waterway and aviation ports open to international traffic. To ensure efficient port operations, the municipal government issued measures for the administration of restricted areas at open ports, strengthening standardized management and maintaining normal entry and exit order. The airport is accelerating the development of a specialized air cargo hub, enhancing port service capabilities and building an internationally competitive aviation logistics hub. This will further strengthen the airport's role as an aviation hub supporting the integrated development of the Yangtze River Delta and the Belt and Road Initiative, while deepening the integrated development of channels, hubs and industries.