(Yicai Global) July 23 -- A Chinese firm has set up the first regular air freight route between Changsha, capital of southern Hunan province, and North America, with a focus on importing seafood.

Beijing-based Forever Fish Group will employ a Boeing 747 aircraft on three flights per week connecting Changsha with Canada and the US, state-backed China News Service reported. The firm successfully brought in 100 tons of living Boston lobsters over the weekend in a maiden flight.

North America represents the world's largest air freight market, while second-placed China is the fastest-growing, Tan Ketao, deputy general manager of Hunan Airport Management Group said, adding that the new service is of great significance to the province in its efforts to build up an international freight channel.

The firm, focused on sourcing seafood from overseas, aims to add more flights for importing oysters, salmon, king crab, and tuna. Forever Fish transships products to other cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Haikou, and Chengdu. 

The company uses a 6,000-square-meter cold-chain warehouse to store the imports at Changsha Huanghua Comprehensive Bonded Zone on arrival and will use a new 14,000-square-meter facility upon completion at the end of the year.

On the return leg, the company exports Hunan-produced commodities like clothing, electronics and mechanical equipment to Chicago and surrounding areas.

Editor: William Clegg