Xiong'an New Area in Hebei province officially activated its international air cargo terminal on Sunday with the launch of the NXA airline code, integrating the area into global aviation networks.

A truck enters the Xiong'an Comprehensive Bonded Zone, where the first international air cargo shipment was cleared using the newly launched NXA three-letter airline code. (Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn)

Xiong'an's new terminal is China's first that is not located at an airport but operates under a comprehensive bonded zone. Its three-letter airline code enables direct air freight handling and customs clearance, according to local authorities.

The inaugural shipment, a consignment of ceramic decorations, arrived at Beijing Daxing International Airport on Capital Airlines flight JD488 from Colombo, Sri Lanka, before being transported to and cleared at the Xiong'an Comprehensive Bonded Zone.

The system was enabled by close coordination between Xiong'an authorities and customs at the Daxing airport.

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