The Tbilisi–Haikou–Milan fifth-freedom cargo route officially launched on August 1, 2026. (Source: Hainan Daily)

The Tbilisi–Haikou–Milan fifth-freedom cargo route officially launched on August 1, 2026. Georgian Airways operates this service weekly with a Boeing 767 freighter, capable of carrying up to 57 tonnes one way.

The new route connects logistics hubs in China's Hainan Province, Georgia, and Italy. Inbound flights will mainly carry duty-free items from European nations, broadening the variety of consumer products available in the Hainan Free Trade Port (FTP). Outbound flights will primarily transport Chinese cross-border e-commerce parcels. Once in Milan, the cargo can be directly distributed to nearby Central European markets such as Switzerland and Austria.

The Tbilisi–Haikou–Milan fifth-freedom cargo route officially launched on August 1, 2026. (Source: Hainan Daily)

Leveraging fifth-freedom traffic rights and a multi-stop route, international cargo can be transshipped and consolidated in Haikou City. This will shorten delivery times between Europe and Asia while reducing transportation and warehousing costs for businesses.

Since the beginning of the year, Haikou Meilan International Airport has launched nine international cargo routes, connecting to ten overseas destinations in Europe, West Asia, and Southeast Asia. By the end of July, the airport handled around 20,223 tonnes of international cargo and mail, up 54% year over year.