Astral Aviation has launched a new cargo route connecting Guangzhou, China to Nairobi, Kenya, with an onward service to Maputo, Mozambique. This marks the airline’s first direct operation in China, reflecting its strategy to strengthen trade links between Asia and Africa.
The new route will initially operate once a week, increasing to three flights per week between mid-October and mid-January, before adjusting to twice weekly. The route will be served by a Boeing 767 freighter, capable of handling a variety of Chinese exports such as electronics and e-commerce goods.
Growth strategy
The route’s launch was supported by Air Charter Service Hong Kong as the initial customer, with additional backing from The Guangdong Airport Authority Co. Ltd and Astral’s general sales agent, IGS Air. According to Sanjeev Gadhia, Astral Aviation’s CEO, this service will strengthen connectivity between Asia and Africa, meeting the growing demand for reliable cargo transportation while fostering economic growth in both regions.
This expansion forms part of Astral Aviation’s broader strategy to increase its global footprint. In March, the airline partnered with Etihad Cargo to introduce weekly flights from Abu Dhabi to Nairobi, facilitating cargo movement across its African network. Astral also plans to expand its fleet with two additional Boeing 767 freighters this year and two Embraer E190Fs next year through an agreement with Nordic Aviation Capital. The company recently added a Boeing 737-400 freighter leased from Avmax Group in June, enhancing its operational capacity. With hubs in Nairobi, Dubai, Johannesburg, and Liege, Astral is positioning itself as a key player in connecting major markets across continents.