(ECNS) -- The first regular international air cargo route from Urumqi, capital of Northwest China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region to Istanbul in Türkiye was launched on Thursday.

Operated by MNG Airlines, a Turkish cargo and passenger charter carrier headquartered in Istanbul, the route will run four weekly flights, each with an approximate flight time of seven hours.

The inaugural flight departed from Urumqi Diwopu International Airport to Istanbul on Thursday, carrying 55 metric tons of cargo.

To enhance customs efficiency, airport customs authorities proactively obtained the flight schedule and details of the cargo being imported and exported.

Zhao Beijing, chief of the customs supervision division of Urumqi Diwopu International Airport, said that a specialized service support team has been established to ensure efficient and rapid customs clearance, tailored to the unique requirement of the new route's cargo.

So far, the airport has launched 16 international cargo routes, establishing an air logistics network that connects Central Asia, West Asia, and Europe.