Ethiopian Airlines is expanding its cargo network into China with two weekly services through its hub in Addis Ababa (ADD), plus an upcoming Belgian connection.

New routes added

Two new China-bound services originating in São Paulo, Brazil (GRU) and Santiago, Chile (SCL) have already launched. The twice-weekly freighter flights connect onto Xiamen (XMN) via Ethiopian Airlines’ primary hub in Addis Ababa. A second service between Shenzhen (SZX) and Liège (LGG) is also set to launch on February 17, with twice-weekly freighter flights between the two cities. All three new routes will be operated with Ethiopian Airlines’ Boeing 777-200F cargo jets.

The launch coincides with Ethiopian Airlines’ 50th anniversary of air connections with China and will support the carrier’s six pre-existing cargo routes to Guangzhou (CAN), Shanghai (PVG), Zhengzhou (CGO), Changsha (CSX), Wuhan (WUH), and Chengdu (CTU).

“We are glad to expand our reach in China, adding Xiamen and Shenzhen in our global freighter network. The new cargo flights will be instrumental in facilitating cargo shipments across the world by improving air connectivity among China, Africa, Europe and South America,” explained Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO Mesfin Tasew.

“As the largest cargo network operator in Africa and a key air cargo service provider globally, Ethiopian Airlines will continue expanding its services around the world by opening new routes and increasing flight frequencies so as to facilitate global trade and the flow of goods.”

Growth in China

After declining flights during the COVID-19 pandemic, Ethiopian Airlines has begun growing its passenger services into China. Spurred by the Government of China’s decision to relax international travel restrictions, the airline increased its frequencies into Guangzhou, Shanghai, and Beijing (PEK), operating 18 weekly flights through February.

From March 1, Ethiopian Airlines will ramp up services further, with 28 weekly passenger flights to China, a return to its pre-pandemic capacity. Beijing and Shanghai will increase from four-weekly services to daily, while Chengdu will see four weekly flights. Guangzhou, the airline’s most popular Chinese passenger route, is set to have the most significant increase to ten flights a week.

Photo: Wirestock Creators I Shutterstock.com.

Another increase could also be in the works. In a statement posted in February, Tasew celebrated the strengthened trade and investment cooperation between China and Africa following the COVID-19 pandemic, adding that Ethiopia’s expansive network will help facilitate the bilateral partnerships.

Continued expansion

Alongside potential growth in China, Ethiopian Airlines has been eyeing a further international expansion as part of its “Vision 2035” plans. To cement its position as the largest airline in Africa, Ethiopian Airlines is looking to add 70 destinations to its network over the next 12 years, carrying an estimated 65 million passengers and 3 million tonnes of cargo.

To support the expansion, the carrier is looking to double its current fleet, adding almost 130 new aircraft. Though no orders have been announced, in November, the airline confirmed it was actively looking at the Airbus A220 and Embraer E195 narrowbody jets to bridge the capacity gap between its medium-haul Boeing 737 fleet and its regional De Havilland Dash 8-400 turboprops. The airline is set to announce its full fleet expansion plans later this year.

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Source: Ethiopian News Agency