Chinese Eastern Airlines has introduced new flights from Abu Dhabi to Nairobi, as it seeks to expand its codeshare partnership, covering service beyond Abu Dhabi and Shanghai, from January 2019.
The China Eastern Airlines flights will be operated by Etihad Airways, in a move expected to open more investment possibilities in the African market.
“We are working together to promote China-Kenya tour and travel business.,” said its sales and marketing officer Sospeter Mobe.
Abu Dhabi-Nairobi route is frequented by Etihad, Kenya Airways, Egyptair, Oman Air and Turkish Airways.
Other destination partnership that will see China Eastern operated by Etihad include Abu Dhabi – Dammam, Abu Dhabi – Jeddah and Abu Dhabi – Riyadh.
Etihad will be operated by China Eastern in the following routes; Shanghai Pu Dong – Auckland and Shanghai Pu Dong – Vancouver.
In May 2018, China Southern Airlines increased its Nairobi-Guangzhou flights to three times a week to tap increased business and tourism travel between the two countries.