China Southern Airlines launched its inaugural freighter route to East Africa on Sunday with flight CZ5225, departing from Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport to Nairobi, Kenya. The flight transported 92 metric tons of cargo.
This new route marks China Southern Air Logistics’ first direct air freight connection between the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and East Africa, as stated by the airline on Monday.
Nairobi serves as a major economic and transport hub in East Africa and is recognized as the largest e-commerce market in the region. The city is also a critical node in China’s Belt and Road Initiative in Africa.
According to China Southern Airlines, trade between Guangdong and the African continent has surged in tandem with the strengthening China-Africa trade relations. The region has demonstrated a strong demand for various Chinese exports, including new energy equipment, electronics, e-commerce products, and other made-in-China goods. Data shows that export cargo volumes on China Southern Airlines’ routes to Africa increased by over 80 percent year-on-year during the first three quarters of 2026.
The return flight from Nairobi to Guangzhou on Monday carried a shipment that included crabs, specialty flowers, and fresh agricultural products from East Africa. These imports are intended for distribution throughout China from Guangzhou.
The new cargo route aims to enhance logistics support for businesses involved in trade with the Greater Bay Area, providing improved capacity for bilateral trade activities, as noted by the airline.
