Ethiopian Airlines Soars with Increased Demand from China
Ethiopian Airlines is capitalizing on the rising demand from Chinese travelers, with nearly fully booked flights to Addis Ababa this summer as interest in African safaris surges.
Photo Source: Ethiopian Airlines Corporate
Ethiopian Airlines, Africa’s largest airline, is experiencing a significant surge in demand from Chinese travelers heading to key destinations across Africa. The airline reports that flights from major Chinese cities to Addis Ababa are nearly fully booked this summer, driven by a growing interest in safari vacations among Chinese families.
Currently, Ethiopian Airlines operates direct flights from Addis Ababa to Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, and Guangzhou, reflecting the booming trade between China and Africa. The airline is set to introduce the latest Airbus A350 widebody aircraft on these vital routes.
“Ethiopian Airlines continuously evaluates our route network, including connections between Chinese cities and Addis Ababa. Decisions on launching new flights or increasing frequencies are primarily based on market demand,” stated Aman Wole Gurmu, Ethiopian Airlines’ country director for China.
Gurmu emphasized the airline’s confidence in growth potential in China, fueled by increasing passenger traffic and strategic partnerships. The stable relationship between the Chinese and Ethiopian governments has led to a rise in business and diplomatic travel, resulting in more corporate customers, diplomats, and tourists using Ethiopian Airlines.
In the first half of the year, over 330,000 passengers traveled on Ethiopian Airlines between China and various international cities. Chinese travelers are also showing strong interest in other African destinations such as South Africa, Kenya, Namibia, and Zimbabwe, further boosting the airline’s service demand.
With simplified entry procedures, including visa-on-arrival policies for several African countries, the airline expects even higher travel demand from Chinese consumers. International tourist arrivals in Africa have rebounded to 96% of pre-pandemic levels, with passenger numbers nearing pre-COVID figures.
Ethiopian Airlines is also attracting attention on its South American routes, with many travelers using Addis Ababa as a transit point to Brazil and Argentina. More than 20% of passengers flying from Shanghai to South America have transferred in Addis Ababa.
To enhance brand visibility in China, the airline plans to invest in digital marketing initiatives, including daily promotions on social media platforms.
Additionally, Ethiopian Airlines has expanded its cargo network in China, launching new routes from Ezhou to Addis Ababa and from Addis Ababa to Liege, Belgium, and then to Changsha. In the first half of the year, the airline transported over 60,000 metric tons of cargo, approaching the total volume transported in all of 2019 due to strong demand for e-commerce products from China.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) reported a 10.7% year-on-year growth in global passenger demand in May, highlighting the industry’s recovery.
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