Xinhua Silk Road - Belt and Road Portal, China's silk road economic belt and 21st Century Maritime Silk Road Website Xinhua Silk Road - Belt and Road Portal, China's silk road economic belt and 21st Century Maritime Silk Road Website
Subscribe CustomBlackClose

Belt & Road Weekly Subscription Form

download_pop

Research ReportCustomBlackClose

The full edition of the report is available at Xinhua Silk Road Database. You can click the “Table of Content” to have a general understanding of it.

Click on the button below to create your account and get immediate access to thousands of articles.

Start a Free Trial

Xinhua Silk Road Database
Facility Connectivity

China's Xinjiang opens first direct cargo flight to Africa

June 30, 2025


Abstract : The first direct air cargo route from northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region to Africa was launched on Friday as a Boeing 777 freighter departed from Urumqi, the regional capital, for Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

URUMQI, June 27 (Xinhua) -- The first direct air cargo route from northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region to Africa was launched on Friday as a Boeing 777 freighter departed from Urumqi, the regional capital, for Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The new link, operated by Ethiopian Airlines, will see two to three weekly flights. It promises to seamlessly integrate Xinjiang's exporters into African and global logistics networks, while bringing premium African goods such as beef, lamb, specialty coffee, and horticultural products directly to Chinese consumers.

Customs authorities have implemented streamlined procedures, including direct sorting and distribution upon arrival, to enhance logistics efficiency.

"The route is expected to attract more enterprises across the supply chain, foster related industries, and create new jobs," said Liu Jingyi, an official with the airport customs in Urumqi.

The route will provide robust logistics support for trade between China and Africa, paving the way for deeper and broader cooperation, said Dereje Derero Dimenso, who is in charge of the cargo and logistics services at Ethiopian Airlines.

This route marks the eighth international cargo route launched from Urumqi this year, following new connections to cities including Istanbul and Islamabad.

Scan the QR code and push it to your mobile phone

Keyword: Africa cargo flight China's Xinjiang

Write to Us belt & road login close

Do you want to be a contributor to Xinhua Silk Road and tell us your Belt & Road story? Send your articles to [email protected] and share your stories with more people.

Click on the button below to create your account and get im http://img.silkroad.news.cn/templates/silkroad/en2017te access to thousands of articles.

Start a Free Trial

Ask Us A Question belt & road login close

If you have any questions, please enter them in the box below.

Identifying code Reload

Write to Us belt & road login close

Do you want to be a contributor to Xinhua Silk Road and tell us your Belt & Road story? Send your articles to silkroadweekly@xinhua.org and share your stories with more people.

Click on the button below to create your account and get im http://img.silkroad.news.cn/templates/silkroad/en2017te access to thousands of articles.

Start a Free Trial