Kenya Airways is set to launch direct flights from its Nairobi hub to China this year with its new Boeing 777- 300ER, as it takes advantage of the growing Sino- Africa relations. From November 19, 2013, the airline will begin flying its new aircraft non-stop three times a week between Nairobi and Guangzhou, China’s third largest city and key hub of the country’s southern region.
The aircraft, which is expected in Kenya in mid October, will not be flying to Guangzhou via Bangkok as currently happens. Kenya airways’ Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Dr Titus Naikuni, said new direct flights to Guangzhou would facilitate interaction between the two regions by opening up Africa to China through its robust connections from Nairobi.
China has emerged as the key trading partner for Africa. Our direct flights to Guangzhou seek to build on the relationship in order to make a contribution towards sustainable development of Africa, which is in line with our core purpose as a company,” Dr Naikuni added.
The direct flights will be operated on Mondays, Wednesday and Fridays departing from Nairobi just after midnight while maintaining the four weekly flights to Guangzhou via Bangkok.
This comes only days after President Uhuru Kenyatta concluded a state visit in China during which the two countries signed financing deals to the tune of about Ksh 425 billion. Meanwhile, Kenya Airways has made changes on its flights to Hong Kong. From October 2, 2013,the airline will only fly to Hong Kong via Bangkok three times a week, discontinuing the previous services through Dubai in the Arab Emirates. KQ will in effect maintain daily frequencies to Bangkok from Mid November.
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