A Belgium-bound all-cargo aircraft takes off on April 1 at Ezhou Huahu Airport. [Photo/WeChat account of Optics Valley of China]

A Belgium-bound all-cargo aircraft took off on Saturday morning at Ezhou Huahu Airport, in Central China's Hubei province, marking the opening of the first international route of the country's first cargo-focused airport.

Loaded with common consumer goods, digital products, auto spare parts, LED light products, and optical modules that were manufactured in the East Lake High-tech Development Zone (also known as Optics Valley of China, or OVC), the flight arrived in Belgium at 11 pm on Saturday, and returned to Ezhou at noon on Sunday.

A poster marking the new cargo route for Ezhou Huahu Airport is seen. [Photo/WeChat account of Optics Valley of China]

Ezhou Huahu Airport is Asia's largest professional cargo airport, and this new international route is scheduled to fly twice a week, with an estimated capacity of over 400 metric tons.

In addition, the opening of the new route is considered to be a key step for Hubei to become a "port in the air", and a key step for the province to integrate into the dual circulation paradigm.

By the end of this year, the airport is expected to add 40 domestic and four to six international cargo routes.