Xiamen launches first fifth freedom cargo airline

Xiamen in East China's Fujian province officially launched its first fifth freedom cargo airline when a Boeing 747-800 all cargo carrier departed for Los Angeles, the United States from Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport on July 2, local media reported.

The fifth freedom is the right to carry passengers or cargo from one's own country to a second country, and from that country onward to a third country (and so on).

The airline is the only fifth freedom route in Fujian and also the first flight route in East China to span three continents – Europe, Asia and America, making Xiamen the second city in China to have such a route.

The flight started in Luxembourg, then went to Zhengzou, capital of Henan province, then to Xiamen, and then finally departed for Los Angeles.

The maiden flight of the weekly route, operated by Cargolux Airlines International, carried 39 pieces of inbound cargo and 4,249 pieces of outbound cargo.

Insiders believe that the newly-launched flight will help to promote economic exchanges between Xiamen and Europe and the North America and further expand Xiamen's role as an international air logistics hub.