Harbin Taiping International Airport – located in Harbin, capital of China's northernmost Heilongjiang province – reportedly handled record levels of cargo and a record number of freight flights to Russia in 2021, achieving growth despite the negative effects of the novel coronavirus outbreak.
 
Statistics from Harbin airport showed that it handled 199 cargo flights and sent 2,504 metric tons of cargo in total to Russia, the latter representing a year-on-year increase of 130.61 percent.
 
The ramping up of activity reportedly played an essential role in helping to ensure the overall stability and smooth flow of international and domestic industry supply chains.
 
In order to develop Harbin as a central city for China-Russia commerce and as an international aviation hub, Harbin airport opened a direct cargo flight between Harbin and Moscow in 2021.
 
The service, operated by subsidiaries of Heilongjiang Transport Investment Co and China Post Heilongjiang Company, runs six times a week.

To promote the safe and smooth operation of cargo flights to Russia, Harbin airport also organized with the airlines and customs the opening of a fast-track service channel.
 
This reportedly significantly improved the smooth flow of cargo loading and unloading, receipts, transportation, inspections and customs clearances.

Additionally, another direct flight route connecting Harbin to Frankfurt in Germany is being prepared.
 
When operating, it will be the first direct cargo flight from the Chinese city to the hinterland of Europe.