China Southern Airlines on Wednesday made its maiden flight to Kenya’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, as it kicked off direct three-times weekly flights from Guangzhou-Nairobi using A330-200 aircraft. This will be the airline’s second direct route to Africa (after Mauritius), and will capitalise on the growing tourism and business travel volume between Asia and Africa, particularly to Nairobi.

Cabinet Secretary for East African Affairs, Commerce and Tourism, Hon. Phyllis Kandie, said: “It is with great pleasure that I welcome China’s largest airline to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport,” adding, “direct flights from any country bring increased trade and tourism, the growth of which from China into Kenya is set to continue.”

China is one of the key trading partners of Kenya, heavily investing in the East African nation’s infrastructure and energy sectors. “Chinese businesses such as Bank of China, Huawei, and Qingjian International are already operating successfully in Kenya and East African markets and we look forward to strengthening trade relations between our countries, supported by of direct flights and the ease of movement they bring,” Kandie added.