China Southern Airlines starts Nairobi flights Wednesday

NAIROBI: China Southern Airlines will Wenesday make its inaugural flight to Kenya from Guangzhou, in a move expected to boost the tourism sector but also raise the competition bar for Kenya Airways, which was guaranteed business from customers from Nairobi who wanted to connect to other Chinese cities.

The flight will arrive at 6.45am at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Nairobi. Acting Transport and Infrastructure CS James Macharia will receive it.The Chinese carrier said last month it will be flying Airbus A330-200 aircraft, which can carry 300 passengers, from Nairobi to Guangzhou three times a week. The airline is targeting local travellers who import products from China. It also hopes to get business from tourists visiting the two countries and students on exchange programmes. Guangzhou serves as a prime connection point to cities in Asia and the Far East markets.