Ethiopian Airlines has officially launched a new cargo charter route connecting Macao and Madrid, further cementing its position as Africa’s leading freight carrier. The inaugural flight, operated by a Boeing 777 freighter (ET3483), took off from Macao International Airport on Thursday morning, marking a strategic expansion into East Asia-Europe trade lanes.

The new route, initially operating twice weekly, is expected to handle over 20,000 tons of cross-border cargo annually, significantly enhancing trade flows between China’s Greater Bay Area, Europe, and South America. Key exports include high-demand e-commerce goods such as electronics, auto parts, apparel, cosmetics, toys, and small appliances.

This launch follows Ethiopian Airlines’ successful cargo operations in Shenzhen, Guangzhou, and Hong Kong, reinforcing its role as a critical logistics bridge between Asia, Africa, and beyond. Aman Wole Gurmu, Ethiopian Airlines’ Country Director for China, emphasized the route’s potential to deepen collaboration with e-commerce supply chains in the Greater Bay Area, a major manufacturing and trade hub.

A representative from Macao International Airport welcomed the partnership, stating that the new route will “unlock greater trade and economic opportunities” between Macao, Europe, and emerging markets. The move aligns with Ethiopian Airlines’ broader strategy to capitalize on booming global e-commerce demand while enhancing Africa’s connectivity to key global markets.