China Southern Airlines launches direct flights to Nairobi – KBC

China Southern Airlines has launched direct flights between Nairobi and Changsha.

Changsha is the capital city of central China’s Hunan Province.

The two time weekly flights are expected to boost business and tourism between the two countries.

China Southern Airlines already operates two weekly flights linking travellers between Nairobi and Guangzhou City, capital of south China’s Guangdong Province.

The flights come a few days before the first China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo that will be held in Changsha between 27^th and 29^th of this month.

The opening of the new air route will not only provide new travel options for passengers but also facilitate mutual exchanges and cooperation.

Around 53 African countries, as well as some international organizations, have applied for participating in the first China-Africa trade expo, which will have 14 thematic activities and one exhibition.

China has been Africa’s biggest trading partner for 10 consecutive years, with bilateral trade value reaching 204.2 billion U.S. dollars in 2018, up 20 per cent year on year.

China’s imports from Africa increased 32 per cent year on year in 2018, while the value of China’s exports of machinery and electronic products and high-tech goods to Africa accounted for 56 per cent of its gross export volume to the continent, showing an improving bilateral trade structure.