East Midlands Airport welcomes another Chinese cargo airline

East Midlands Airport has announced the addition of another all-cargo operator from China, reinforcing its growing portfolio of international freight services. The new service is being provided by China Central Longhao Airlines, which has begun operating cargo flights to East Midlands Airport, marking the carrier’s latest presence at the facility. The development underscores the airport’s ongoing role in facilitating freight movements between China and the United Kingdom, as part of its expanding network of international cargo partners.

According to Air Cargo Week, Central China Longhao Airlines has started operations at East Midlands Airport, signaling a new entry for the carrier in the region. The publication notes the initiation of services at the airport in connection with this carrier, though it does not provide further specifics about dates, flight schedules, aircraft types, or the scope of operations at this time.

The Irish Post reports a separate incident at East Midlands Airport involving an Irish cargo aircraft whose landing gear failed, resulting in a runway closure overnight. The report states that the runway was closed this morning as authorities responded to the gear issue, but it does not include details on the aircraft operator, exact time, or any information about injuries or further actions beyond the closure.

Aviation Pros covers a range of aviation topics and in this context highlights a technology deployment at Calgary International Airport rather than East Midlands. The report describes YYC’s first-in-Canada deployment of ApronAI to monitor freighter turnarounds, logging unloading, loading, and fueling times to track the freighter turnaround process on the cargo apron. The material does not provide additional dates or locations beyond YYC, nor does it relate directly to East Midlands or the China Central Longhao Airlines development.

Gulf News contributes broader regional aviation context by reporting on a separate incident in Riyadh, where an Indian national critically injured in the October attack on King Khalid International Airport died in hospital. The piece notes the ongoing toll of the West Asia conflict on air travel and related services, including airline schedule adjustments and suspensions affecting destinations in Saudi Arabia, and mentions the Indian Consulate’s ongoing support and repatriation efforts. This report is unrelated to the East Midlands Airlines development but appears in the same collection of aviation industry updates.

Simple Flying covers industry shifts in freighter fleets, reporting that Atlas Air has shifted its fleet strategy toward Airbus, including a formal order for 20 Airbus A350F freighters with additional options and rights. The article frames this as a significant transition away from long-standing Boeing loyalty in cargo operations, though it does not connect to East Midlands or the Longhao Airlines development. The timing and scope of deliveries beyond the stated order are not provided in the supplied material.