China Southern launches first all-cargo service to East Africa

(ECNS) -- China Southern Air Logistics Co., Ltd. launched a direct all-cargo route between Guangzhou and Nairobi on Monday. The inaugural flight, carrying African specialties including crabs and flowers, landed at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport.

The route is the company's first all-cargo service to East Africa, further expanding air cargo links between the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and Africa.

Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, is a major economic center and transport hub in East Africa, as well as the region's largest e-commerce market, serving more than 10 neighboring countries. It is an important hub for the Belt and Road Initiative in Africa. In recent years, China-Africa economic and trade cooperation has continued to deepen, with Guangdong's imports from and exports to Africa growing steadily. Demand for Chinese-made new energy equipment, electronics and e-commerce goods in Africa has been strong. Since the beginning of this year, China Southern's export cargo volume to Africa has increased by over 80% year on year.

The new route is served by Boeing 777 freighters, with a one-way flight time of about 10 hours. Outbound flights mainly carry Chinese-made products to support East Africa's new energy projects and meet evolving consumer demand. Return flights carry East African flowers, fresh agricultural products and other high-quality goods, which are efficiently distributed across China thanks to Guangzhou's advantages as a trade gateway.

With the launch of China Southern's Guangzhou-Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) passenger route and the Guangzhou-Nairobi passenger and cargo routes, the airline's overall cargo volume to Africa is expected to increase significantly in October.

A China Southern Air Logistics official said the new cargo route will complement bellyhold capacity on existing passenger routes, promoting deeper integration between the industrial strengths of the Greater Bay Area and Africa's resources and markets.