China Southern opens first East Africa cargo route from Guangzhou

The Guangzhou–Nairobi freighter route launched on Sunday morning when flight CZ5225 took off from Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport en route to Nairobi, Kenya, loaded with 92 metric tons of cargo.

The flight path is the first East Africa cargo route opened by China Southern Air Logistics. It expands the direct air logistics corridor from the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area to Africa, according to a statement released by China Southern Airlines on Monday.

Nairobi is a vital economic and transport hub of East Africa, as well as the biggest e-commerce consumption market. It is considered a key node for China's Belt and Road Initiative in Africa.

Guangdong's trade with the continent has risen in line with expanding China-Africa trade ties, the statement said. The region has shown robust demand for Chinese exports, including new energy equipment, electronics, general e-commerce goods, and related made-in-China products. Official figures indicate that export cargo volumes on China Southern Airlines' Africa routes rose more than 80 percent year-on-year in the first three quarters of 2026.

The return flight arrived in the Guangdong capital on Monday, carrying crabs, specialty flowers, and fresh agricultural products from East Africa. The imports will be sent across China from Guangzhou.

The new route provides more stable and sufficient capacity support for enterprises engaged in bilateral trade with the Greater Bay Area, the statement said.