Xiamen Airlines to launch first direct China–Ethiopia service

Xiamen Airlines is set to make its historic entry into the African aviation market, anchoring its maiden route with long-haul Boeing 787-8 aircraft. Beginning November 28, the Chinese carrier will launch a weekly seasonal service connecting Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport (XMN) to Addis Ababa Bole International Airport (ADD).

Running through February 28, 2027, the deployment of the widebody twin-engine jet marks a major milestone as the carrier expands its intercontinental footprint.

Currently, no other carrier serves this specific airport pair, giving Xiamen Airlines a strategic advantage. While point-to-point traffic between the two cities has historically been modest, the Ethiopian capital serves as the continent’s primary gateway for nonstop China-Africa capacity.

Industry analysts note that the route is heavily oriented toward capturing connecting traffic, allowing passengers from across Xiamen’s domestic and regional network to seamlessly feed into onward destinations throughout Africa via Addis Ababa.

The introduction of the Boeing 787-8 on the Addis Ababa link aligns with a broader, aggressive expansion of Xiamen Airlines’ international schedule. Bolstered by rising global demand and growing network capacity through the winter season, the SkyTeam alliance member aims to strengthen commercial and travel ties between China and East Africa.