A direct cargo route between China's southern city of Shenzhen and Turkmenistan's capital Ashgabat is reshaping logistics, replacing slow land transport with same day air delivery.
In 2025, bilateral trade climbed to 10.46 billion U.S. dollars, highlighting the corridor's role in strengthening the partnership.
At Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport, cargo bound for Ashgabat is loaded on a typical Wednesday morning for the nine-hour flight. Operating twice a week, the service has become a reliable lifeline for exporters with time-sensitive goods. The previous day, a logistics warehouse near the airport prepared the shipment for export, part of a tightly coordinated supply chain that makes each early morning departure possible.
The corridor's rapid expansion has reshaped delivery options for exporters, according to Cheng Chao, General Manager of AWOT Global Corporation.
"This shipment is electronic products, worth over 3 million yuan (about 435,613 U.S. dollars). Since the charter flights started in 2023 through the end of 2025, we've operated 303 flights -- growing from zero to this scale," said Cheng.
The direct flights have also given exporters a faster, more reliable route into Turkmenistan, according to Qiao Jian, sales director of AWOT Global Corporation.
"In the past, shipping to Turkmenistan was mainly by truck and rail, it would take about 12 to 25 days and it was heavily affected by the weather and port congestion. After our direct flights start, shipment can arrive on the same day," said Qiao.
At the same time, Shenzhen Customs has upgraded procedures to match the pace of air logistics, moving cargo seamlessly from warehouse to aircraft and onward to overseas markets.
Ma Chao, an officer at Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport Customs, said authorities are advancing "smart air logistics" with smart checkpoints, security locks, and 24/7 clearance to keep cargo moving at air speed.
China-Turkmenistan direct cargo flights reshape logistics, strengthen ties
