ADDIS ABABA, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) -- Ethiopian Airlines, the largest airline in Africa, has announced the launch of a new freighter service connecting southwest China's Chengdu City and the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa.
"A new connection takes flight today. Ethiopian Airlines launched a new freighter service from Chengdu, China," the airline announced on Friday.
The Ethiopian flag carrier said the newly launched air route opens a direct cargo link between southwest China and the wider African continent.
The freighter service from Chengdu will provide "a strong boost to the trade and economic exchanges between western China and Africa," facilitating the movement of a wide range of commodities between the two sides, according to the airline.
The new service marks the latest expansion of air cargo connectivity between China's rapidly growing western manufacturing hub and the African market.
Dereje Derero, managing director of cargo and logistics services at Ethiopian Airlines, previously reiterated the flag carrier's strong commitment to further expanding its footprint in China, thereby propelling Sino-African socioeconomic and people-to-people ties. ■