Destination Report: Henan Province, China - HNCA

Continuing my series of articles on my recent visit to Henan proving in China, this one focuses on visiting the headquarters of the Henan Civil Aviation Development & Investment Group (HNCA) (Cargolux's 35% shareholder) and meeting with its president, Zhang Mingchao, and senior representatives.

HNCA had received significant finance to build and support the Air Silk Road, connecting China and Europe via Zhengzhou and Luxembourg; this has been used not only to invest in Cargolux but to develop a multimodal hub in Zhengzhou and invest in a domestic / regional cargo airline, but also to invest in technology parks around the airport, with the district boasting an astonishing infrastructure over a massive area.

Zhang Mingchao first recalled the ten-year history of collaboration between HNCA and Cargolux, between China and Luxembourg, the results of which he described as far exceeding their expectations. Firstly they succeeded with the cargo flights (Cargolux collaboration) and then they launched the air passenger service (China Southern Airlines) regarding which the initial feedback has been very positive. He revealed that the original plan had been to launch the passenger route much earlier, but the pandemic intervened; he also admitted that they could even consider a second weekly flight if passenger number projections are met.

He explained that they have always been looking to the future and are now looking forward to the next ten years of working together and expanding on the experiences gained. On the other hand, one thing had changed course: the planned development of the Henan Cargo Airline regional air cargo carrier did not materialise in the way initially hoped; instead, HNCA acquired Longhao Airlines in 2019 and moved its base to Zhengzhou. Its fleet has grown from six to thirteen cargo planes and it currently carries more than 100k tonnes of cargo. Zhang Mingchao confirmed that he anticipates closer collaboration with Cargolux in the future regarding this regional air cargo carrier to aid its growth and expansion.

Apart from its air cargo business, HNCA has also been active in constructing a significant cargo hub in Zhengzhou. This spans different zones and districts and is split into business sectors.

Zhang Mingchao also confirmed that HNCA wants to build on the success of the Air Silk Road by supporting mutual cooperation in both economic and cultural fields, he sees this expanding to other areas including sport as well as training in finance and law, fields in which Luxembourg excels. In sport, HNCA has supported the Dragon Boat Festivals held on the River Moselle in both 2023 and 2024, and they have ideas to hold an Air Silk Road Cup, possibly in football.

HNCA's corporate books on the company - which I managed to read after the meeting and dinner - put a very strong emphasis on their Luxembourg connections, with references to, and photographs of, Grand Duke Henri, Crown Prince Guillaume, Prime Minister Xavier Bettel, Economy Minister Etienne Schneider, Transport Minister Francois Bausch, Mobility and Public Works Minister Yuriko Backes, LuxAirport CEO Réné Steinmetz and Chairman of Cargolux, the late Paul Hemlinger. This new publication also features prominently the 10th anniversary of the Zhengzhou Air Silk Road Initiative held in June 2023 in Hehan with Luxembourg's representatives including Ambassador Marc Hubsch, and the second Zhengzhou-Luxembourg Air Silk Road Forum for International Cooperation in June 2024 in Luxembourg which was attended by many on the Chinese side include Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang and China's Ambassador to Luxembourg, Hua Ning.

China's respect for, and reliance on, their ties with Luxembourg through HNCA's investment in Cargolux and the related initiatives surrounding the Air Silk Road cannot be overstated: the time and courtesy afforded to me reinforces this and highlights once again the high esteem that Luxembourg (and its involvement at various levels) is held in the Henan province, in particular.

I can see this cooperation and collaboration going from strength to strength over the coming years, particularly now that the direct passenger service has started between Zhengzhou and Luxembourg, complementing the cargo link that commenced ten years ago. A sharing of knowledge through economic, cultural and other collaborations and exchanges will only benefit both countries and their shared initiatives and interests.

For the main / introductory article on my trip to Henan, please click here.