Kenya's Astral Aviation resumes weekly Nairobi-Guangzhou freighter service

en.Wedoany.com Reported - Astral Aviation has resumed its weekly Boeing 767-300 freighter service between Nairobi and Guangzhou, reconnecting direct air cargo routes between China and Africa.

The return flight operates once a week, providing transport capacity for e-commerce, pharmaceutical products, perishable goods, industrial equipment, and general commodities. Astral Aviation stated that this move reduces transit times and enables customers to more easily access its extensive network across Africa.

With the continued growth of China-Africa trade, the resumption of this service reflects the airline's commitment to connecting businesses, strengthening supply chains, and supporting economic development. Astral Aviation also expressed gratitude to the TAM Group and its general agent in China, Kingfer Lin, for their support in restoring this service.

The Guangzhou route was initially launched in August 2024, when Astral Aviation completed the maiden freighter flight from Guangzhou to Nairobi, with cargo then transshipped to Maputo, Mozambique. This service marked the airline's official entry into the Chinese market, with the primary goal of strengthening trade and logistics links between Asia and Africa. Guangzhou was selected as a key gateway for Chinese exports, and the Boeing 767 freighter was used to transport goods such as perishables, industrial products, and high-tech equipment.

The launch of the Guangzhou route was part of Astral Aviation's broader expansion strategy, aimed at strengthening its presence in Asia and improving connectivity between Asia and key African markets.

Prior to resuming the Nairobi-Guangzhou service, Astral Aviation recently expanded its China-Africa network. Earlier this month, the airline partnered with Fly Noor Aviation Services to resume a direct freighter service between Haikou and Johannesburg, using two weekly Boeing 767-300 freighters transiting through Nairobi, further strengthening cargo links between China and Africa. This service was announced at the Air Cargo China exhibition in Shanghai.