XI'AN, China—The Xi’an air transport sector has announced a CNY120 million ($17 million) investment to develop the Sinotrans Northwest International Air Freight Distribution Center, aimed at strengthening the city’s role as an air-land cargo hub.

The center will focus on China’s “9610” customs code, used for cross-border B2C e-commerce, and provide international express consolidation and distribution services.

A further CNY30 million will be invested to build the SF Express–China Western Airport Group smart integrated export hub, which will support parcel sorting and distribution. The project will include the Northwest Transit Center and a sorting facility operated by SF Express subsidiary Shunlu Logistics. SF Express is China’s largest express delivery and logistics provider.

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The agreements were signed by multiple entities at Routes Asia 2026, taking place in Xi’an, including Sinotrans Jiahang Xi’an Logistics, Nayingdi International Freight Forwarding, Shaanxi Honest Express Cross-Border Trading, the Airport New City of Xixian New Area, Sinotrans Air Freight and Xi’an Shunlu Logistics.

At the same event, Xi’an also announced the launch of new cargo routes to Paris, Rome, Milan Bergamo, Barcelona and Athens. The routes are expected to strengthen connectivity between Xi’an and major European aviation hubs, with a longer-term aim of extending reach to South America.

Xi’an currently serves destinations in 25 countries, including 19 participating in China’s Belt and Road Initiative.

Xi’an Governor Ye Niuping said the city—which is located in central China and strategically connected with key points by air and rail—acts as a crucial node in the global supply chain and looks to strengthen its intermodal cargo offerings as it further opens up its market.