China Cargo Airlines has expanded its European network with the inauguration of a new freighter service connecting Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport (CKG) in China to Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport (BUD) in Hungary. The service commenced on 15 January 2026 and will operate three times weekly using the carrier’s Boeing 777 freighter fleet.
The airline, a joint venture between China Eastern Airlines (70%) and China Ocean Shipping (30%), currently operates a fleet of 18 Boeing 777Fs, positioning it as a major player in China’s long-haul cargo market. This launch follows the airline’s successful Shanghai Pudong–Budapest freighter route initiated in 2024 and reflects a strategic push to strengthen China–Europe logistics corridors.
Focus on E-Commerce and IT Products
Industry insiders note that the new Chongqing–Budapest route will primarily cater to cross-border e-commerce and high-value IT products, enhancing supply chain connectivity between Western China and Central Europe. Huiru Zhang, sales manager at China-based freight forwarder Air-Sea Pacers, highlighted on LinkedIn:
“This is Chongqing’s second international all-cargo route in 2026, serving cross-border e-commerce and local IT products, further strengthening the China–Europe industrial and supply chain connection.”
The route reflects Hungary’s growing role as a logistics gateway in Central and Eastern Europe, as the first country in the region to participate in China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). This strategic alignment supports China Cargo Airlines’ long-term objective to integrate key economic hubs into its international cargo network.
European Expansion Strategy
The Chongqing–Budapest service is part of China Cargo Airlines’ broader European expansion. In November 2025, the carrier re-launched a freighter route between Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) and Shanghai Pudong (PVG), while in May 2025, it initiated scheduled flights connecting Hefei Xinqiao International Airport in China with Liege Airport in Belgium.
Additionally, China Cargo Airlines maintains freighter operations to other major European hubs, including Frankfurt, Amsterdam, and London Stansted, enabling seamless integration into global supply chains and reinforcing its presence across strategic logistics nodes.
By leveraging its 777F fleet, China Cargo Airlines aims to provide reliable, high-capacity freight services, supporting both high-value manufacturing exports and the rapid growth of e-commerce shipments between China and Europe. The new Chongqing–Budapest route underscores the carrier’s commitment to enhancing connectivity, speed, and efficiency across long-haul markets.
