Air freight offers speed for the 40% of the world's trade (by value) that travels in cargo flights or in the hold of passenger aircraft, but it costs ten times more than sea transport.
Even though the value of the Manta air base lies more in the realm of trade (as a cargo transit point) than in the military, the air base's current U.S. military role means the potential impact on Sino-U.S. military relations cannot be ignored.