Ethiopian Cargo has started a new freighter service between Chengdu, China and Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to support trade between Asia and Africa.
The service began on 28 August and operates between Chengdu Tianfu International Airport and Addis Ababa Bole International Airport.
“A new connection takes flight today! Ethiopian Airlines launched a new freighter service from Chengdu China, opening a new direct cargo link between Southwest China and Africa,” said Ethiopian Airlines in a LinkedIn post today.
“The new air link will provide a strong boost to the trade and economic exchanges between western China and Africa.”
According to China’s Xinhua News Agency, the service will operate twice weekly initially using a Boeing 777 freighter. The 777F has 5,000 nmi of range with a 107-tonne payload.
The frequency of the service may also increase to four flights per week in future.
Tang Ruibo, general manager of Ethiopian Airlines China, said the service will help strengthen supply chains between China and Africa and support the distribution of Chengdu’s outbound cargo to key cities in 54 African countries, including Lagos, Accra, Dakar, Entebbe, and Lubumbashi.
Data from Planespotters shows that Ethiopian Airlines has 12 777Fs, four converted 737-800Fs; one converted 767-300F; and two 767-300Fs.
Ethiopian Airlines serves 70 dedicated cargo and 140+ passenger destinations in Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Europe, and the Americas.
Ethiopian Cargo handles general and special cargo, including horticulture, pharmaceuticals, valuables, live animals and e-commerce.
