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China Southern Airlines to start Beijing-Lagos flight via Dubai
China Southern Airlines, the largest Chinese carrier, said yesterday it would launch thrice-weekly service from Beijing to Lagos, Nigeria, via Dubai.
- By Ivan Gale, Staff Reporter
- Published: 00:00 December 19, 2006
Dubai: China Southern Airlines, the largest Chinese carrier, said yesterday it would launch thrice-weekly service from Beijing to Lagos, Nigeria, via Dubai.
The move will help facilitate direct trade between Nigeria and China.
Beginning December 30, the airline will fly from Beijing to Lagos Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays using a new Airbus A330 with a two-class configuration of 24 in business and 240 in economy.
With a special one-day introductory offer of Dh1,250 plus tax for a return ticket from Dubai to Lagos, the carrier will thereafter offer full-fare prices at Dh2,500 sold through its ticketing partner, Al Rais Travel.
The Southern China flight will be only the second service to Africa by a Chinese airline after Cathay Pacific's service to Johannesburg.
The news also signals growing interest among airlines in the surging trade between Africa and Asia, especially China's manufacturing heartland, Guangzhou and the Pearl River Delta.
The Chinese government estimates trade between Africa and China will reach $50 billion this year.
"At the moment, China's representation in Africa doesn't exist at all aviation wise," said Najeeb Akthar, assistant manager of sales and marketing for China Southern. He said the new service is primarily focusing on business travellers such as Chinese investors and African traders. Initially expecting 70 per cent load factors, Akthar said within a few months he has forecast full capacity flights.
China Southern plans to follow up this new service with new routes to Jeddah and Cairo, he added.
When it launches, China Southern will take on Emirates for direct service to Lagos, Nigeria's commercial and industrial centre. Ethiopian Airlines, Egypt Air, and Kenyan Airlines also offer service from China to select African cities.
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