A strategic new chapter in Central Asian logistics has begun as Uzbekistan’s My Freighter, the region’s largest private cargo airline, officially launched scheduled operations on a groundbreaking Shanghai-Amsterdam route. The inaugural flight departed Shanghai on August 6, marking the airline’s transition from charter services to regular international cargo operations through a partnership with Air Cargo APAC.
The new service operates twice weekly using Boeing 767-300F aircraft, offering a total transit time of just 17 hours between Asia and Europe. This efficiency stems from a carefully planned routing strategy that positions Tashkent as a pivotal stopover, deliberately avoiding the congested aviation hubs of Dubai and Istanbul that typically handle such intercontinental cargo flows.
The timing appears particularly strategic, as Chinese exporters increasingly pivot toward European markets amid rising US tariffs. The World Trade Organization projects 6% growth in China-Europe exports for 2025, creating substantial demand for reliable cargo corridors. My Freighter anticipates strong demand driven by this geographic reorientation of Chinese trade flows.
Tashkent’s role extends far beyond a simple refueling stop. The Uzbek capital now functions as a comprehensive logistics hub offering rapid ground handling capabilities and flexible cargo distribution options. Shippers can route goods not only to Amsterdam but also throughout Central Asia and CIS countries, while the facility handles specialized cargo including urgent shipments, oversized items, and hazardous materials such as lithium batteries and electronic equipment.
Priority cargo categories include automotive components, high-technology products, semiconductors, e-commerce goods, and express packages — reflecting the diverse manufacturing and consumer goods flowing between Asian production centers and European markets.
For international companies operating in furniture, construction materials, interior design, and manufacturing sectors, this development represents a significant logistics advancement. The route provides direct access to Central Asian markets that were previously difficult to serve efficiently, while offering European companies a reliable pathway to source components and finished goods from Chinese manufacturers.
Construction and interior companies can benefit from faster delivery of building materials, fixtures, and design elements, while furniture manufacturers gain improved access to both raw materials from China and distribution channels into Central Asian consumer markets. The 17-hour transit time and twice-weekly frequency make this corridor particularly valuable for businesses requiring consistent, time-sensitive supply chains across these key economic regions.
