Ethiopian Airlines has launched a new route between northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
This is the first direct air cargo route from the Xinjiang Uygur region to Africa, according to China’s state press agency, Xinhua.
The first flight departed from Urumqi, the capital of the Xinjiang region, on Friday, 27 June. Ethiopian is expected to operate two to three weekly flights using a Boeing 777 freighter.
These flights are anticipated to provide capacity to Xinjiang’s exporters, supporting them to access African and global logistics networks.
The flights will also help meet Chinese consumer demand for premium African goods such as beef, lamb, specialty coffee and horticultural products.
Customs authorities in Urumqi have implemented streamlined procedures, including direct sorting and distribution upon arrival, to enhance logistics efficiency.
“The route is expected to attract more enterprises across the supply chain, foster related industries, and create new jobs,” said Liu Jingyi, an official with the airport customs in Urumqi.
The route will provide robust logistics support for trade between China and Africa, paving the way for deeper and broader cooperation, said Dereje Derero, managing director of Ethiopian Cargo and Logistics Services
This route marks the eighth international cargo route launched from Urumqi this year, following new connections to cities including Istanbul and Islamabad.
In April, Ethiopian Airlines launched a cargo charter route from Macao International in China to Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport in Spain.
At the end of last year, Ethiopian Airlines Group signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Xiamen Iport Group and a memorandum of understanding with China Henan Aviation Group (CHAG).
