Ethiopian Airlines is marking its 50th anniversary in China and expanding its cargo services by opening new air freight routes to the mainland.

Ethiopian Cargo & Logistics Services has started two weekly freighter flights connecting Xiamen to South America and plans to commence two weekly freighter flights between Shenzhen and Liege on 17 February.

The airline has deployed its B777 freighter on the new cargo routes and will link Xiamen with São Paulo and Santiago via Addis Ababa. Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO Mr. Mesfin Tasew said the new cargo flights will be instrumental in facilitating cargo shipments across the world by improving air connectivity across China, Africa, Europe and South America.

Ethiopian started its passenger service to China back in 1973. The addition of Xiamen and Shenzhen increases the airline’s Chinese cargo destinations to eight, including Guangzhou, Shanghai, Zhengzhou, Changsha, Wuhan and Chengdu. It also operates passenger services to Beijing, Chengdu, Guangzhou and Shanghai.