WUHAN, Jan. 27 (Xinhua) -- A new direct air cargo route, linking Wuhan in central China's Hubei Province and the Thai capital Bangkok, was officially launched on Tuesday.

A JD Airlines Boeing 737-800BCF freighter, loaded with cross-border e-commerce parcels and electronic products, took off from Wuhan Tianhe International Airport, heading directly for Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport in Thailand.

The new service highlights Wuhan's rising status as a logistics hub and manufacturing center in China's heartland, said Huo Junxi, deputy director of JD Logistics' aviation department.

"Outbound flights will prioritize high-value goods manufactured in Wuhan, including consumer electronics and precision instruments," Huo said. "The return flight will carry Thai tropical fruit, notably durians, and other fresh produce to meet rising consumer demand in Hubei Province."

For Wuhan, the route offers a substantial gain in terms of delivery speed. Liu Rui, deputy head of corporate management at Hubei Airport Group, said it is currently the only direct cargo flight between Wuhan and Bangkok. Previously, air freight to Thailand had to transit through hubs such as south China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, which added around six hours to delivery times.

"The new route cuts transport time by about half," Liu added.

According to the operator, flight frequency will be adjusted seasonally, with three flights a week from January to October, and rising to five weekly services during the November-December peak season. ■