Ethiopian Airlines launch flights to Hangzhou

The Ethiopian Airlines today unveiled its plan to commence new flights to Hangzhou, one of the most renowned and prosperous cities in China effective May 1, 2011. Hangzhou, located in Zhejiang province, is famous for its picturesque scenery, rich history, and is without question one of the most beautiful cities in China.Hangzhou is a great alternative to the busy Shanghai airport for those traveling to/from Shanghai as it is only 45 minutes away via Shanghai–Hangzhou high-speed train. Hangzhou is also ideally located for both business people and for traders.

Yiwu, a famous commodities trading center, is also only 100km away from Hangzhou with convenient and frequent coach services. Ethiopian’s new flight service to Hangzhou provides travelers from all over Africa an easy and fast way to the strategic Chinese business hub of Shanghai and Yiwu.With the opening of the 4th destination in China, Ethiopian Airlines will expand dependable passenger and cargo handling services to traders, business people and tourists between China and Africa via the strategic business hub at Addis Ababa, Ethiopian said in a press statement it sent to WIC today.

In addition to the five weekly flights to Hangzhou, Ethiopian provides daily flight to Beijing and Guangzhou, plus four weekly flights to Hong Kong.This new operation to Hangzhou reinforces our commitment to the Chinese traveling public and the strong ties between China and Africa, said Tewolde G. Mariam, CEO of Ethiopian.Ethiopian Airlines is the first African airlines to connect the People’s Democratic Republic of China with Africa, starting with its first flight to Beijing on November 07, 1973. Since then Ethiopian has been facilitating trade, tourism, investment, and diplomatic relations between Africa and China. No airline provides more links between Africa and China than Ethiopian Airlines.