Ethiopian Cargo and Logistics Services has connected Chongqing – the largest municipality in Southwest China – with Africa and South America after starting a weekly freighter call on 26 June 2019.
Located in Southwestern China adjacent to Hunan, Hubei, Guizhou, Shaanxi and Sichuan provinces, Chongqing serves as a node of China’s Belt and Road initiative linking the country to its western neighbours.
The route passes through Shanghai – Chongqing – Delhi – Addis Ababa – Lagos – Sao Paulo – Quito – Miami, connecting the main destinations of the three continents which cover a population of more than three billion people.
Ethiopian will be operating B777-200F on the route and initially fly once in a week.
Ethiopian Airlines Group chief executive officer, Tewolde GebreMariam said: “We are excited to have launched a freighter service to Chongqing, Southwest China.
“We are among the veteran carriers that started serving the People’s Republic of China back in the early 1970’s, a longstanding and multi-faceted ties which has translated into a flourishing trade and investment, cultural and bilateral cooperation between Africa and China.
“Our new cargo service augments the development of China-Africa bilateral trade and expands on China’s already growing “Belt and Road” initiative, while supporting our strategic initiatives to expand our global cargo operations.”
As part of its 15- year strategic plan, Vision 2025, Ethiopian Cargo & Logistics Services outlined its aim to become a full-fledged profit centre of the Ethiopian Airlines Group with annual revenue of $2 billion, 19 dedicated aircraft, annual tonnage of 820,000, and 57 international destinations. Eight years into the roadmap, Ethiopian Cargo has already reached 57 international destinations.
