Chinese airline to launch Nairobi route

China Southern Airlines will make its maiden flight to Nairobi on August 5 this year. The airline, which is the world’s sixth-largest measured by passenger numbers, will be flying from the city of Guangzhou thrice a week.

The non-stop flights will be on Monday, Wednesday and Friday on Airbus A330-200 that carries 281 passengers.

“Kenya’s strategic position on the continent with Nairobi being a major commercial and transport hub, the airline anticipates sustained growth in traffic to and from Asia,” said China Southern Airlines Senior Vice President of Marketing, Wells Zheng.

“We expect to see continued growth in demand for air transportation through Nairobi to the rest of Africa as more Chinese expatriates and businesspeople pitch tent on the continent,” said Mr at a tourism and aviation workshop hosted by the airline in Nairobi.

This will be the second route after last year’s launch of its first African destination between Shenzhen and Mauritius.

In the last six years, China has become Africa’s largest trading partner with trade volumes  growing significantly, and is now valued in excess of $221.8 billion (Sh21.5 trillion).

Good numbers

China is also a major destination for African exports and a significant source of manufactured goods imported by many African countries. Between 2009 and 2014, the number of Chinese visitors to Africa increased from 380,000 to three million.

Zheng said that through a code share agreement with Kenya Airways, Ugandans and other East Africans intending to travel to China will transfer to Kenya using Kenya Airways flights to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport before enduring an 11-hour Non- Stop journey on China Southern Airlines to Guangzhou.

Kenyan tourism players welcomed the announcement with Nairobi’s Panari Hotel Managing Director Patrick Marekia, terming it good news for ailing Kenyan tourism.

“We remain optimistic that this will spur inbound tourism from that part of the world,’’ Marekia said.

Lake Bogoria Spa Resort General Manager Lydia Dentewo said the new flight service is a positive feedback for the tourism sector.

“It will go a long way in boosting tourism in the country considering what is happening at the moment with other destinations. They have good numbers as well. This is definitely a big boost,’’ she said.

On his part, Kenya Safari Lodges & Hotels General Manager, Mr Silas Kiti said the news was exciting and coming at the right time.