China Cargo Airlines has launched a new service to Budapest Airport that the eastern European hub hopes will support trade with China.

The new Shanghai Pudong (PVG)-Budapest service is operated by a Boeing 777 freighter three times per week on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

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It is the first time the Hungarian airport has been linked with Shanghai by the China Eastern subsidiary.

“This development marks a significant milestone in our cargo network development,” the airport said, highlighting the cargo volumes out of PVG.

“Last year, PVG was the world’s third-largest cargo hub in terms of cargo turnover. The thrice-weekly scheduled connection thus creates a great transport opportunity for export and import flows for both SMEs and multinational companies in Hungary and the CEE region and further strengthens BUD’s position as a cargo hub in Central and Eastern Europe.”

The new flight is not the first time the airport has added a new freighter service from China this year.