Ethiopian Airlines Connects Africa and China with Groundbreaking Direct Cargo Route from Xinjiang

As reported by Ethiopian Airlines, the airline has introduced a new cargo flight service that will operate twice a week between Addis ababa and Urumqi, China.The first flight was celebrated with a vibrant ceremony and a traditional water cannon salute at Urumqi Diwopu International Airport. This service will run every Monday and Thursday.

This route not only expands Ethiopian Airlines’ presence in Western China but also enhances the crucial cargo link between Africa and Asia. It promises quicker freight movement and improved market access for both exporters and importers.

Ethiopian Airlines’ CEO, Mesfin Tasew, shared his enthusiasm about this new venture: “Launching our cargo service to urumqi is an critically important milestone in reinforcing our connections within China while boosting air trade between Asia and Africa. Urumqi serves as a strategic entry point into Western China, unlocking fresh opportunities for cross-border trade, enhancing supply chain efficiency, and fostering economic collaboration.”

The airline currently operates over 190 weekly flights to 27 destinations throughout Asia—this includes 83 weekly flights serving 11 cities in China alone. With its modern fleet equipped with advanced temperature-controlled technology for cargo handling,ethiopian Airlines transports nearly one million tons of goods annually across more than 140 global destinations.

This latest addition is yet another step forward in Ethiopian’s goal of enhancing connectivity between africa and Asia while solidifying Addis Ababa’s role as an essential global hub for air freight.