Ethiopian Airlines and China Southern Airlines have signed a codeshare agreement to deepen cooperation and expand connectivity across Africa, China, and beyond, Chinese news agency Xinhua reported.

Ethiopian Airlines, Africa’s largest airline, said in a statement on Wednesday that the agreement aims to strengthen cooperation on direct services between China and Ethiopia, alongside extended regional air markets.

By drawing on the networks of both carriers, the partnership is expected to offer passengers seamless transfers to destinations across Africa and China, the Ethiopian flag carrier said.

The agreement comes as China Southern Airlines launched a new twice-weekly passenger service on Tuesday linking Guangzhou in southern China with the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, via Changsha in central China.

Speaking at the launch event, Zeng Yongchao, executive vice president of China Southern Air Holding Company, said the route would create business opportunities, facilitate the movement of people and goods, and connect China and Africa “toward a shared and prosperous future”.

The report did not say when the codeshare flights will begin or which routes they will cover. Aviation Express could not independently verify the details, which are based on the Xinhua report.

Source: Xinhua