Ethiopian Airlines considers flights to central China's Zhengzhou

ADDIS ABABA, Dec. 28 (Xinhua) -- Ethiopia's flag carrier Ethiopian Airlines (ET) is considering flights to the Chinese city of Zhengzhou, an official said on Thursday.

Speaking to Xinhua, Yared Berta, Regional Director of China, Mongolia, and North Korea for ET, said planned flights to Zhengzhou, capital of central China's Henan Province, is part of efforts to attract new customers, particularly in China's hinterland.

"Zhengzhou is one of the most populous areas of China, and an increasing attraction for domestic and international investment, presenting opportunities for ET especially in cargo flights," he added.

Berta explained Zhengzhou is part of Ethiopian Airlines' four decades plus efforts to expand its reach in China to connect it with African countries.

"Currently ET transports about 80,000 passengers and 60,000 tons of cargo annually through its five gateways in China," he said.

The five Chinese destinations are Beijing, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Chengdu and Guangzhou.

ET is already preparing to start flights to the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen from June 2018.

Ethiopian Airlines became the first African carrier and the fourth in the world to fly to China back in 1973. Enditem