A newly launched air cargo terminal in Xiong'an New Area, Hebei province, is set to reshape logistics in northern China, giving the inland region direct access to global air freight networks despite lacking its own airport.

The facility officially began operations on Sunday with the activation of the NXA airline code, marking the launch of Xiong'an international air cargo port.

It is the country's first international air cargo hub built independently, operating within a comprehensive bonded zone while retaining full aviation port functions, according to local authorities.

The three-letter NXA code, granted by the International Air Transport Association, enables the area to handle international air freight and complete customs clearance operations locally.

"Xiong'an, an inland area without its own airport, has established a customs-supervised site within its comprehensive bonded zone," said Zhang Xian, director of the port services division at the administrative committee of the Xiong'an area of the China (Hebei) Pilot Free Trade Zone. "With the addition of the airline code, the area now functions with full airport capabilities."

The first shipment under the new system — a batch of ceramic decorations — arrived at Beijing Daxing International Airport on a Beijing Capital Airlines flight from Colombo, Sri Lanka, before being transported to Xiong'an for customs clearance.

"As the carrier of this shipment, we experienced efficient coordination between the Beijing and Xiong'an ports, a convenient customs clearance process and strong service support, which greatly improved overall air cargo efficiency," said Liu Jun, president of Beijing Capital Airlines. He added that the airline plans to expand cooperation and cargo routes to support regional development.

The system is underpinned by close coordination between Xiong'an authorities and customs at Daxing airport. Together, they have established a streamlined clearance mechanism allowing goods to move seamlessly between the airport and the bonded zone.

"The construction of the Beijing-Xiong'an convenient customs clearance system allows companies in Xiong'an to enjoy the convenience of an international aviation hub at their doorstep," said Li Yufeng, deputy director of Xiong'an Customs.

"We will continue to deepen coordination with ports in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, effectively reduce logistics costs for enterprises, and turn the dividends of opening-up into drivers of development more quickly and effectively," Li said.

Xiong'an is exploring a new path for high-level opening-up in inland regions, local authorities said. The launch of its air cargo terminal and the NXA code is regarded as a key step toward improving the area's open-economy infrastructure, integrating it into the global air cargo network and laying a foundation for high-quality, export-oriented growth.

"The area will build on this momentum to deepen cooperation with ports in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, further improve customs clearance efficiency, expand international cargo routes, and jointly build a world-class comprehensive transportation hub cluster," said Hu Jiansong, deputy director of the administrative committee of the Xiong'an area of the China (Hebei) Pilot Free Trade Zone.

zhangyu1@chinadaily.com.cn