Boosting Development Of China and Africa
Ethiopian Airlines creates new routes for the Belt and Road Initiative
Riding the wind, the sky is thousands of miles. Recently, a significant milestone was achieved after the inaugural flight of the first all-cargo route from Chengdu to Africa completed its journey. This momentous occasion marked the official commencement of an air cargo channel connecting Sichuan Province in China to Africa. This route signifies Ethiopian Airlines’ formal entry into the heartland of southwest China, which will further expand and deepen the economic and trade cooperation between China and Africa.
Connecting China and Africa
With a remarkable legacy spanning five decades, Ethiopian Airlines holds the distinction of being the first African airline to establish routes connecting China and Africa. Over the years, China has emerged as a pivotal market for Ethiopian Airlines, solidifying its position as a key player in the aviation industry. Presently, Ethiopian Airlines operates an extensive network encompassing five passenger destinations - Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, and Hong Kong in addition to nine cargo destinations - Shanghai, Changsha, Zhengzhou,
Wuhan, Chengdu, Xiamen, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Hong Kong - across China. This comprehensive coverage ensures the provision of essential passenger and cargo services to both Chinese enterprises and travellers, underscoring Ethiopian Airlines’ commitment to facilitating seamless connections between China and Africa.
Over the course of 50 years, Ethiopian Airlines’ uninterrupted operation to China has come to symbolise the mutually beneficial collaboration between China and Africa in the aviation sector. Beyond this, it has also established a vital air bridge that facilitates the movement of people and fosters economic and trade exchanges between China and various countries and regions participating in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). This extensive network connects Central Asia, Europe, Africa, South America, and other regions, thereby enhancing transportation efficiency and effectively stimulating economic growth.
Ethiopian Airlines’ longstanding presence and commitment to this route have played a crucial role in promoting connectivity and facilitating the seamless flow of goods and services, contributing to the overall development and prosperity of the regions involved.
Expansion into BRI countries
As we commemorate the 10th anniversary of the BRI, it presents an opportune moment for Ethiopian Airlines to contribute to the development of the BRI by forging new routes that enhance connectivity and facilitate the movement of people and goods.
Ethiopian Airlines has actively embraced its role in advancing the objectives of the China-Africa economic and trade cooperation, and the BRI. Leveraging the strategic location of Addis Ababa as a vital aviation hub in Africa, Ethiopian Airlines has harnessed its unique strengths to expand its route network and strengthen connectivity along key nodes of the BRI.
As a prominent airline company in Africa, Ethiopian Airlines recognises its responsibility to contribute to the development of the Air Silk Road, which links countries participating in the BRI. Currently, Ethiopian Airlines operates an impressive 35 passenger flights per week to China. Between 2014 and 2022, the company successfully transported over 4.11 million Chinese passengers, both inbound and outbound, through 15,502 passenger flights. This contribution has played a pivotal role in fostering the progress and prosperity of nations and regions participating in the BRI.
In addition to passenger flights, Ethiopian Airlines has also introduced weekly cargo flights that connect the Chinese city of Shenzhen with Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and the Belgian city of Liege. Furthermore, it has established a crucial link between the Chinese city of Xiamen and the Brazilian city of Sao Paulo, as well as the Chilean capital Santiago, via Addis Ababa. Presently, Ethiopian Airlines operates an extensive network of 35 cargo flights per week to China, further bolstering trade and connectivity between the regions involved.