The air freight route connecting Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport (CGO) in central China with Prague Václav Havel Airport (PRG) has emerged as a vital trade corridor between Central China and Eastern Europe. With increasing trade volumes between China and Europe, demand for air cargo services on this route continues to grow significantly.
Turkish Airlines (TK) will operate the service from July 16 to July 23, 2025, following the route CGO-ALA-IST-PRG. This standard cargo service applies general pricing categories, meaning different types of goods may have varying regulations and routing requirements that shippers must consider when selecting air freight options.
Freight Cost Structure
The current market shows a progressive pricing structure for this route, with all weight categories priced at 145.0 yuan. Detailed cost breakdowns include components of 32.0 yuan, 30.0 yuan, 30.0 yuan, and 29.0 yuan, which typically cover basic transportation fees, aviation fuel surcharges, and security fees. These rates remain subject to market conditions and policy adjustments at the time of shipping.
Important to note: These base prices don't include potential additional charges such as customs clearance fees, documentation processing, or other handling costs. Shippers should budget accordingly to avoid unexpected financial pressures during transportation.
Flight Schedule Details
The first leg departs Zhengzhou (CGO) for Almaty (ALA) on flight TK6188, with a 5:00 AM departure and 8:34 AM arrival. While the early morning departure requires logistical planning, it provides critical time advantages for time-sensitive manufacturing and distribution cycles.
The second segment continues from Almaty to Istanbul on the same flight number (TK6188), departing at 10:29 AM and arriving at 12:53 PM. The Almaty stopover facilitates necessary quarantine inspections and regulatory compliance checks for European import requirements.
The final leg from Istanbul (IST) to Prague (PRG) offers multiple flight options. The primary flight TK1767 departs at 7:15 AM, arriving at 9:00 AM. Alternative flights TK1769 (4:55 PM departure) and TK1771 (12:00 PM departure) provide scheduling flexibility based on cargo urgency and operational needs.
Operational Considerations
As international air freight operations grow increasingly complex, Turkish Airlines' extensive cargo experience and professional handling teams ensure secure and timely transportation. The carrier maintains enhanced safety protocols and specialized services for high-value or sensitive shipments while continuously improving operational measures.
This Zhengzhou-Prague air corridor not only facilitates market access between Central China and Central/Eastern Europe but also establishes critical infrastructure for Chinese enterprises expanding into European markets. In today's dynamic commercial environment, understanding freight cost structures, optimizing flight schedules, and monitoring market trends remain essential competencies for industry participants.
Looking ahead, as China-Europe multimodal transportation networks continue developing, this route is expected to present expanded opportunities alongside operational challenges. Strategic utilization of air freight resources—balancing cost efficiency with delivery performance—will enable businesses to maximize their international logistics advantages.
When evaluating air cargo services between Zhengzhou and Prague, shippers should consider not just pricing but also service quality, transit times, and ancillary charges to ensure smooth end-to-end transportation.
