ATLANTA's United Parcel Service (UPS) has announced launch of a new daily flight between Zhengzhou, the capital of Henan province, and Incheon in South Korea.

  Zhengzhou's businesses will benefit from Incheon's corresponding flight connections to their key export markets in the US and Europe. Direct flights from Incheon to UPS's intra-Asia hub in Shenzhen will open new opportunities for Zhengzhou businesses wanting to export within Asia. The new flight will help customers in the area cut shipping times by at least one day, said the company statement.

  UPS will operate a Boeing 767 into and out of Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport five days a week.

  "With many manufacturing companies moving their facilities to inland China, there is an increasing need for logistics and transportation services in this fast-growing region," said UPS China president Richard Loi. "The UPS Zhengzhou gateway will speed access to key markets globally and it underscores UPS's commitment to strengthening our network in China and addressing our customers' needs."

  Zhengzhou's importance as an economic driver in the central northern region has been accelerating in recent years, and it is emerging as the next high-tech manufacturing area in China. In addition to the electronics sector, other key industries in the area also have seen impressive growth, including the automotive, machinery and aluminium manufacturing sectors. In 2011, Zhengzhou was ranked number one in foreign trade growth in all of China and has been attracting considerable foreign direct investment.