BEIJING - Chinese passengers now have new choices flying to Nairobi, as the UAE national carrier Etihad Airways has launched flight services linking Abu Dhabi and the Kenya's capital.

Chinese passengers can fly from Beijing, Shanghai or Chengdu to Nairobi via Abu Dhabi.

Previously, passengers usually fly from big Chinese cities like Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou to Nairobi via Dubai, Hong Kong, and Doha.

The new daily, two-class A320 service is the airline's first passenger service to East Africa and a critically important step in expanding its presence in Africa, according to the Etihad Airways.

"In particular, this new route services the considerable and growing flow of people and capital between Kenya and North Asia, with major Chinese investment in Africa generating passenger demand in both directions," said Etihad Airways President and Chief Executive Officer James Hogan.