Photo: Ethiopian Airlines
Ethiopian Airlines Group has signed two agreements with China-based organisations that aim to help it grow its business in the air cargo market.
The Group has signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Xiamen Iport Group and a memorandum of understanding with China Henan Aviation Group (CHAG).
“These agreements are founded on principles of complementary advantages, resource sharing, innovative development, and mutual benefit,” said Ethiopian Airlines in a LinkedIn post on Wednesday December 11.
“The strategic agreement and the MoU aim to foster the in-depth integration and high-quality growth of the air cargo business, enabling the parties to engage more extensively, broadly, and effectively in the global economic system.”
Xiamen Iport Group offers airport operation and management services, plus a range of other services, including air cargo. CHAG currently manages Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport (CGO) and is also involved in projects in Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport (BUD) and Leipzig/Halle Airport (LEJ).
Like many other airlines, Ethiopian has been investing in air cargo operations in Asia to take advantage of growth in the region and export demand.
In May, Hyderabad and Ahmedabad in India were added to Ethiopian Cargo’s freighter network.
In February last year, the airline also added freighter flights connecting Xiamen with São Paulo and Santiago via Addis Ababa, plus freighter flights between Shenzhen and Liège.
Ethiopian flies to 135 international passenger and cargo destinations, including 63 African cities.
On top of the airline’s belly capacity, Ethiopian Cargo & Logistics Services also offers 67 dedicated freighter services.
According to fleet tracking website Planespotters, the airline’s freighter fleet currently includes 10 777Fs with another on order, four 737-800Fs and four 767-300Fs, plus a fifth currently undergoing conversion.
