Published : 2025-05-22
On May 22, 2003, the Chinese authorities granted the fifth freedom of the air (第五航權) to foreign airlines for the first time.
That morning, a cargo plane from Singapore Airlines Cargo smoothly arrived at China's Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport, heading for Chicago.
This marked the first time that Singapore, as a third country, has opened a direct flight route from China to the U.S. It was also the first transoceanic cargo route at Xiamen Airport.
Xiamen International Airport was China's first pilot airport to open up the fifth freedom of the air to foreign countries.
The fifth freedom of the air is also known as the right of entry for third countries. It refers to the right of foreign airlines to carry passengers and freight between China and other countries.
In other words, foreign airlines can establish routes from China to other countries.
In long-haul transport routes, the fifth freedom of the air can transport freight from one location to multiple countries in one go, improving the efficiency of air cargo operations and benefiting the freight market along the route.
Therefore, the fifth freedom of the air is recognised by the aviation industry as the most abundant and economically substantive freedom, and is also an important indicator for assessing a region's level of openness and business environment.
