(Yicai Global) Jan. 17 -- China's  macroeconomic management agency has given the green light for a unit of  delivery giant SF Holding and a regional government to build central  China's first freight airport in Hubei province. 

The National Development and Reform  Commission approved the Erzhou civil airport project with the total  investment of CNY32.1 billion (USD4.7 billion), the Shenzhen-based  delivery firm, which also is the main investor, said in a statement  yesterday. 

The aviation base is built to meet a  growing demand for air cargo, and it is expected to handle 3.3 million  tonnes of cargo and up to 1.5 million trips annually by 2030.

SF Taisen, a unit of SF Express, the  Hubei Provincial Transport Investment Group and Shenzhen Nongyin Airport  Investment penned a contract to set up a joint venture for the project  in December 2017. SF Taisen invested CNY2.3 billion to hold 46 percent  of the JV's equity. 

The Ezhou airport will reduce SF  Airlines' daily costs, the parent said, adding that a smooth cooperation  between drones and planes will help the Chinese firm to become a global  operator. 

Editor: Emmi Laine