Hainan Airlines to acquire shares in Kenya's cargo airline
Source:transportweekly 2014-5-16 9:51:00
China's fourth largest airline, Hainan Airlines, is to acquire shares in Kenya's cargo airline Astral Aviation in order to provide a civil aviation service in Kenya and other East African countries using Nairobi as its key hub, according to Shipping Gazette.
The investment deal was signed in the presence of Chinese Premier Li Keqiang during a visit to Kenya, part of his Africa tour. The cooperation is supported by the China-Africa Development Fund, established by China in 2007 to support partnership with African counterparts.
The new unit will deploy five 50-seat Embraer E-145 planes for services to Nairobi and neighbouring countries initially. The aim is to expand its air routes to West and South African air transport hubs.