Rediscovering the Silk Road: New Air Freight Route from China to Europe via Tashkent, Uzbekistan

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Rediscovering the Silk Road: New Air Freight Route from China to Europe via Tashkent, Uzbekistan

Published: 10:00am, 22 Nov 2024

[The content of this article has been produced by our advertising partner.]

Supply chains connecting Asia and Europe face mounting challenges. Businesses grapple with disrupted logistics caused by geopolitical tensions, capacity constraints, longer shipping routes, and rising transportation costs. Against this backdrop, CargoPoint, the freight forwarder headquartered in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, have launched a new air product connecting China to Europe via Tashkent. As global trade seeks robust and agile supply chains, this new transit corridor aims to streamline cargo movement between Asia and Europe, providing businesses with faster transit times, reliable capacity and a welcome alternative to bottlenecked routes in other regions.

Supporting Trade Amid Complex Global Dynamics

Despite challenges like fluctuating demand and capacity constraints across the China-Europe corridor, the air cargo market remains resilient, driven by the continued expansion of trade and e-commerce. The air cargo flow between China and Europe recorded a year-over-year increase of 14.6 per cent in August 2024, according to IATA. WorldACD stated that the spot rates for air cargo between China and Europe have risen by up to 18% in the calendar week 36 and reached $4.39 per kg, one of the highest levels seen in 2024. This trend aligns with the broader market recovery and increased demand for air cargo capacity following disruptions in maritime shipping and improving global trade.

Uzbekistan, with Tashkent at the heart of this route, capitalises on its strategic geographical position. This new air corridor allows companies to bypass complex geopolitical bottlenecks, such as Russian airspace closure, tensions in the Red Sea and the broader Middle East, shortening delivery times for European and Asian businesses.

CargoPoint, along with its strategic partner Turkish Cargo, is playing a crucial role in shaping this new logistics landscape. Turkish Cargo operates about 25 flights per week, with two daily widebody aircraft, making it the largest capacity provider connecting Tashkent airport to Istanbul and beyond.

CargoPoint’s Role in the Air Cargo Landscape in Uzbekistan

CargoPoint is weaving Tashkent and Uzbekistan back into the fabric of the Silk Road, rekindling ancient pathways where cultures converged and commerce flourished. The company is not merely connecting cities, but reviving a legacy of exchange, where the pulse of history beats in the flow of goods, ideas, and dreams. CargoPoint plays a pivotal role in the success of China-Europe air freight operations through efficient management of its Tashkent hub, connecting China and Europe via Istanbul.

As the Number 1 agent for Turkish Cargo in Uzbekistan and one of the top three cargo agents for Uzbekistan Airways, CargoPoint ensures seamless handling of air cargo transit and reliable capacity management. Through strategic partnerships and innovative solutions, CargoPoint aims to solidify Uzbekistan’s position as a regional logistics hub, supporting the smooth and efficient transit of high-value and time-sensitive goods across continents. As Mr. Mirzali Mirusmonov, Director for Business Development at CargoPoint puts it, "CargoPoint has pioneered transformative changes in Uzbekistan's air cargo transit, collaborating closely with customs and airport authorities to implement new policies that streamline procedures, eliminate bottlenecks, and ensure the smooth, efficient flow of goods through Tashkent."

Uzbekistan's Expanding Role in International Air Freight

Tashkent is emerging as a major transit hub in Central Asia. Uzbekistan’s air freight capacity in 2024 has grown beyond pre-pandemic levels, supported by increased partnerships with global carriers and infrastructure investments such as a new cargo terminal at Tashkent Airport. The cargo sector’s resurgence is being fueled by local players such as CargoPoint facilitating air exports to Europe, not only from China, but also Asia-Pacific. New Uzbek air carriers, including FlyKhiva, My Freighter, Air Samarkand, Qanot Sharq, Humo Air, Silkavia and SpaceBee Airlines are pivotal in this growth, connecting Central Asia with international markets and cementing the region’s role as a central logistics hub in the Middle Corridor.

A Strategic Solution for Global Supply Chains

The new China-Europe route through Tashkent marks a step toward greater regional integration, creating faster, more reliable pathways for businesses across China, Central Asia, and Europe. As Uzbekistan cements its role in transcontinental logistics, Tashkent’s development as an international cargo hub signals a bright future for trade along the new Silk Road. This expansion supports smoother cargo flows across key markets and strengthens Uzbekistan’s connectivity with the global economy.

CargoPoint CEO, Mr. Bahtiyar Nomozbaev, shares: "Since pioneering this air cargo transit project through Tashkent, CargoPoint has managed nearly 2,000 metric tons of air-to-air and truck-to-air cargo between China and Europe, in addition to significant volumes originating from other Southeast Asian countries, including Vietnam, Thailand, and Bangladesh."

The outlook for 2025 and beyond suggests continuous growth in air cargo demand, with freight forwarders increasingly relying on emerging transit hubs such as Tashkent. This route promises to enhance the efficiency of supply chains, enabling businesses to meet rising consumer expectations in Asian and European markets.

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