China Southern Airline's Changsha–Nairobi route moves 227,000 passengers in six years

(ECNS) -- China Southern Airlines' Guangzhou–Changsha–Nairobi route has transported over 227,000 passengers and 7,000 metric tons of cargo since its 2019 launch, making it central China’s only direct air link to Africa and a vital channel for expanding trade and travel.

Currently, the route operates three round-trip flights per week. Outbound flight CZ6043 runs on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, while return flight CZ6044 operates on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. These flights not only carry business and leisure travelers between China and Africa but also transport distinctive goods from both nations.

As economic cooperation between Hunan Province and Africa deepens, cargo capacity demand on the route has surged. Notably, since China implemented zero-tariff treatment for imports from 33 African countries in December 2024, imports of Kenyan specialty agricultural products including flowers and avocados have risen sharply. From January to May this year, flower shipments alone reached 2 metric tons, marking a significant year-on-year increase.