ADDIS ABABA, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) -- China Southern Airlines has officially launched its Addis Ababa-Changsha-Guangzhou air route, establishing an important air corridor between China and Ethiopia.
The airline marked the launch of the new route on Tuesday in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, a day after its inaugural passenger flight landed here, transporting over 200 passengers to Addis Ababa from China.
Speaking at the launch event, Zeng Yongchao, executive vice president of China Southern Air Holding Company, said the route will create business opportunities, facilitate the movement of people and goods, and connect China and Africa toward a shared and prosperous future.
"This milestone not only represents an important addition to China Southern Airlines' route network in Africa, but also marks a new step forward in air connectivity between China and Ethiopia," Zeng noted.
He said the new air service will connect Asia and Africa, support the Belt and Road Initiative, deepen China-Africa exchanges and cooperation, and facilitate people-to-people, economic, and trade interactions.
Liu Xiaoguang, minister counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Ethiopia, said the launch of the new route is a concrete step toward implementing the consensus of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, strengthening Ethiopia's position as a regional transport hub and expanding the "Air Silk Road" between China and Africa.
"The new route will give fresh impetus to people-to-people exchanges and deeper economic and trade cooperation between China and Ethiopia, and between China and Africa more broadly," said Liu, noting that China Southern Airlines has the largest fleet, the most extensive route network and the highest annual passenger volume of any airline in China.
Appreciating the airline's commitment to launching the new route to Addis Ababa, Yohannes Abera, director general of the Ethiopian Civil Aviation Authority, said the route opens a direct linkage between Addis Ababa and two of China's most dynamic provinces. This route serves as an important milestone as Addis Ababa continues to grow as a regional aviation hub.
The passenger flight is operated twice weekly, on Mondays and Fridays, connecting the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou and Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa, via the central Chinese city of Changsha. ■
