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Ethiopian Airlines Cargo is the cargo division of Ethiopian Airlines, the flag carrier of Ethiopia and Africa's largest airline group. Headquartered at Bole International Airport (ADD) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, the airline was founded on 21 December 1945 and commenced operations on 8 April 1946. Ethiopian Airlines has been a Star Alliance member since December 2011.
Ethiopian Cargo operates one of the largest dedicated cargo fleets in Africa, with 12 Boeing 777 freighters, 3 Boeing 767 cargo aircraft, and 4 converted 737 freighters. The airline transported approximately 897,000 tonnes of freight during the 2025/26 financial year and serves over 70 dedicated cargo destinations worldwide. With its strategic hub in Addis Ababa, Ethiopian Cargo provides critical air bridges between Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas.
Ethiopian Airlines maintains a strong presence in China with multiple offices and cargo stations. Below are the primary contact points for cargo inquiries:
Ethiopian Airlines Cargo operates a modern all-cargo fleet consisting of the following aircraft types:
| Aircraft Type | Quantity | Max Payload | Max Range | Key Advantages |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boeing 777-200LRF | 12 | ~107 tonnes | ~9,200 km | Long-haul, high-volume, prime cargo workhorse |
| Boeing 767-300F | 3 | ~54 tonnes | ~6,000 km | Medium-range, flexible for regional routes |
| Boeing 737-800F (Converted) | 4 | ~23 tonnes | ~3,500 km | Short-range, ideal for intra-African and regional feeder services |
Note: Ethiopian Airlines also operates 138 passenger aircraft providing belly-hold cargo capacity. The carrier is in talks to acquire 8–10 additional Boeing 777 freighters to further expand capacity.
Ethiopian Airlines Cargo currently serves the following Chinese airports with dedicated freighter services. The airline operates over 83 weekly flights to 11 cities in China across passenger and cargo services.
| China Airport | Destination Hub | Operating Days | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chengdu Tianfu (TFU) | Addis Ababa (ADD) | Mondays & Fridays | Launched August 2026; up to 107 tons per flight |
| Ürümqi Diwopu (URC) | Addis Ababa (ADD) | Mondays & Thursdays | Launched June 2025; Western China gateway |
| Ezhou Huahu (EHU) | Addis Ababa (ADD) | [To be confirmed] | Launched February 2026 |
| Shanghai Pudong (PVG) | Addis Ababa (ADD) / Liege (LGG) | [To be confirmed] | Major China gateway with cargo office on-site |
| Guangzhou Baiyun (CAN) | Addis Ababa (ADD) / Liege (LGG) | [To be confirmed] | Key southern China hub with cargo office |
| Xiamen Gaoqi (XMN) | São Paulo (GRU) / Addis Ababa (ADD) | [To be confirmed] | China–Brazil e‑commerce cargo service |
Please consult your local agent for the latest schedule and frequency updates.
Through its Addis Ababa hub, Ethiopian Cargo connects China to a vast network of destinations across Africa, Europe, the Americas, and the Middle East. From China, cargo can be shipped (direct or via ADD) to the following regions and key cities:
In addition, Ethiopian serves over 70 cargo destinations across five continents, with its Addis Ababa hub acting as a strategic distribution point for cargo originating from China.
Ethiopian Airlines Cargo offers Chinese exporters a unique combination of connectivity, capacity, and cost-effectiveness that few other carriers can match.
Unrivalled Africa Connectivity. With 83 weekly flights to 11 Chinese cities and a hub in Addis Ababa that distributes cargo to over 54 African countries, Ethiopian Cargo provides the most extensive air freight network between China and Africa. For Chinese manufacturers targeting African markets—whether in West Africa (Lagos, Accra), East Africa (Nairobi, Entebbe), or Southern Africa (Johannesburg, Lubumbashi)—Ethiopian offers direct, reliable air links that reduce transit times and supply chain complexity.
Competitive Freight Rates. As Africa's largest airline with substantial cargo volume, Ethiopian achieves economies of scale that translate into competitive pricing for Chinese shippers. The carrier's aggressive network expansion—with new routes to Chengdu, Ürümqi, and Ezhou launched in 2025–2026 —demonstrates its commitment to the China market and its willingness to offer attractive rates to build market share.
Specialised Cargo Handling. Ethiopian Cargo operates a dedicated Pharma Wing with temperature-controlled facilities for pharmaceuticals and healthcare products. The airline also handles dangerous goods, perishables, live animals, and oversized cargo with specialised equipment and trained staff. For Chinese exporters of high-value electronics, automotive parts, medical devices, and e‑commerce goods, Ethiopian provides the specialised care these shipments require.
Belly-Hold Capacity. Beyond its dedicated freighter fleet, Ethiopian operates 138 passenger aircraft providing additional belly-hold cargo capacity. This gives Chinese shippers more flexibility in terms of available space and departure frequency, especially for smaller consignments that do not require a full freighter.
Future-Proof Capacity. Ethiopian is investing heavily in cargo infrastructure, including a new cargo terminal at Addis Ababa adding 600,000 tons of annual capacity and the planned Bishoftu International Airport with a projected annual cargo handling capacity of 3.7 million metric tons. For Chinese exporters with long-term growth plans in Africa, Ethiopian offers a logistics partner that is scaling its capabilities to match future demand.
How to book Ethiopian Airlines Cargo space through Goodhope Freight
Ethiopian Airlines Cargo offers a comprehensive range of specialised logistics solutions that set it apart in the air freight industry.
Ethiopian Cargo operates a dedicated Pharma Wing with advanced temperature‑controlled facilities at its Addis Ababa hub. This service is designed for pharmaceutical products, vaccines, and other healthcare commodities that require strict temperature control throughout the supply chain. Chinese pharmaceutical exporters can rely on Ethiopian's IATA CEIV Pharma‑certified handling to maintain product integrity from China to African and global markets.
Ethiopian Cargo is authorised to transport dangerous goods (DG) in accordance with IATA regulations. The airline also handles perishables, live animals, oversized cargo, and high‑value shipments with specialised equipment and trained personnel. For Chinese exporters of automotive parts, machinery, electronics, and agricultural products, Ethiopian provides the expertise and infrastructure to move complex cargo safely and efficiently.
For urgent or oversized shipments, Ethiopian Cargo offers full‑charter services using its Boeing 777 and 767 freighters. This is particularly valuable for Chinese companies with large‑scale project cargo, emergency relief supplies, or time‑sensitive industrial equipment. Charter services provide complete control over routing, timing, and cargo handling.
Ethiopian is pursuing a multi‑hub strategy with hubs in Lomé (Togo), Lilongwe (Malawi), Lusaka (Zambia), and Kinshasa (DRC). This network allows cargo from China to be distributed efficiently across the African continent. The airline is also building a second cargo terminal at Addis Ababa (600,000 tons annual capacity) and planning the Bishoftu International Airport with 3.7 million tons of annual cargo capacity —positioning Ethiopian as the premier air freight gateway between China and Africa for decades to come.
Flight schedules and equipment are subject to change without prior notice. Please verify with your booking agent.