Jiaxing Nanhu Airport Emerges as Global Logistics Innovation Hub

The 2026 index, compiled by the China Economic Information Service, evaluates 25 major aviation hubs across five dimensions, including innovation resources and operational efficiency. It identifies the Asia-Pacific and North American regions as primary engines for industry transformation, driven by the increasing demands of digitalization and the low-altitude economy.

China’s strategy of leveraging free trade policies and airport economic zones has bolstered its multi-tiered airport system. The Yangtze River Delta remains a focal point of this growth; in 2025, the combined import and export value of Shanghai, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang hit 2.2 trillion U.S. dollars, representing over 35 percent of China’s national total. This economic density provides a consistent stream of high-volume international cargo for local infrastructure.

YTO Skyhub, which commenced operations in late 2025, represents the latest generation of specialized air cargo facilities. Backed by a 12.2 billion yuan investment, the project currently maintains a designed annual handling capacity of 1.1 million metric tons. Planners expect this figure to eventually scale to 2.4 million metric tons, cementing the airport's position as a critical node in the global logistics network.