Domestic carriers are expanding into the African market thanks to a Chinese government strategy. China Southern Airlines has opened a Guangzhou-Nairobi service, which will fly three times a week – the only Chinese carrier to operate into Africa to date. More routes are planned – Air China announced its intention to launch two routes from Beijing to Addis Ababa and Johannesburg in October, while China Southern will open a new service from Guangzhou to Dubai and Cairo in June 2016.
Hainan Airlines and Astral Airlines are expected to announce a new African route this year.