Frankfurt Airport and Shanghai Pudong International Airport conclude strategic partnership for cargo

Frankfurt Airport (FRA) and Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) are now working together under a strategic partnership. With the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding, both airports are expanding an existing partnership that has been in place for many years. The partnership focuses on targeted cooperation within their respective airport communities, optimizing regulatory processes, and jointly harnessing new market opportunities. This new collaboration reflects FRA’s guiding principle, “Creating the Future of Cargo. Together,” and highlights the shared goals of both airports.

Alexander Laukenmann, Senior Executive Vice President Aviation at Fraport AG, says: “The demand for air cargo between Asia and Europe is growing rapidly. The agreement with Pudong means that Fraport has one of China’s largest cargo airports as a partner. Our cooperation is an important step toward meeting the increasing needs of international trade.”

Frankfurt Airport is one of Europe’s leading air cargo hubs, serving as a major gateway between Asia and Europe. Both airports see opportunities to leverage their enhanced partnership to make international cargo traffic even more efficient and future-oriented. Planned joint projects include establishing a coordinated rapid response and communication mechanism to accelerate customs and regulatory processes, as well as organizing joint roadshows to build a more interconnected cargo ecosystem.

China, the world’s largest exporter, plays a key role in shaping international goods traffic. Online retail is also becoming increasingly significant in this trade: at Frankfurt Airport, around five million e-commerce consignments are handled each month. The aim of the strategic partnership with Shanghai Pudong is to further improve cross-border processing and establish joint standards.

One year after the successful Cargo Roadshow in Shanghai, the memorandum of understanding is a tangible outcome from continuous interaction with the most important players in the Chinese aviation market. The arrangement paves the way for further international partnerships in strategically important markets.

The partnership with Shanghai Pudong is part of the comprehensive Frankfurt CargoHub Masterplan, which Fraport is using to improve the competitiveness of the airport as a cargo hub.