Shiliuyun-Xinjiang Daily (Reporter Ma Yining) news: Before dawn on July 30, 2025, workers at Kashi Laining International Airport carefully loaded baskets of fresh plums onto China Southern Airlines Flight CZ6835. These premium fruits would complete their 3,000-kilometer journey to Guangzhou in just six hours.
This season, plums from Kashi, Hotan and Yarkand in Xinjiang can reach markets across China through dedicated air cargo services combining cold-chain technology and streamlined logistics.
Photo shows plum baskets for loading at Kashi Laining International Airport in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Photo by Zhang Cong)
Kashi's plums benefit from exceptional growing conditions. The region's 20 degrees Celsius daily temperature swings and abundant sunshine produce fruits with notably firm flesh and high natural sugar content. As Xinjiang's plum industry expands from orchard to processing plant, upgraded air cargo networks now provide express delivery to distant markets.
The plum season coincides with peak summer travel demand," explained Li Yong, Cargo Manager of China Southern Airlines Logistics in Kashi. "We have increased flight capacity in Xinjiang, with routes covering major Chinese cities including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen." Li detailed the airline's comprehensive fresh-keeping solution specifically designed for plums: "Our end-to-end cold chain process begins with pre-cooling in origin cold storage, followed by streamlined security checks, warehousing, loading and transfers -- all carefully coordinated to minimize sun exposure and maintain optimal freshness."
At Urumqi's transit hub, China Southern has established a dedicated "green channel" for plums. "Our ramp-side quick transfer system enables seamless connections between flights," Li added. "This significantly reduces ground time, ensuring Xinjiang’s plums reach destinations nationwide in perfect condition.
"Before, we struggled with shipping delays and spoilage," said a merchant from Kashi. "Now our plums travel from tree to store nationwide in one day while staying perfectly fresh."
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