KQ gets first cargo plane to China

• The 120 tonne cargo freighter will fly two times a week to and fro and is expected to grow business volumes

Trade between Kenya and China got a boost, following introduction of a direct 120-tonne cargo plane connecting the Asian nation to Nairobi.

On Tuesday Kenya Airways received its first cargo-only plane to be operated jointly with KLM Royal Dutch Airlines. The national carrier is counting on the growing trade volumes between Kenya and China to jump start its cargo business, whose growth has been constrained by lack of capacity.

“We expect to carry electronic goods, spare parts, drilling equipment for the energy sector, mobile phones and textiles among other things from China to Nairobi. We will then carry flowers on our way back,” Mr Titus Naikuni, the airline's managing director said.

Airlines mainly carry cut flowers, horticultural products and meat from Nairobi to Middle East and Asia and ship in pharmaceuticals, telecom equipment, textile products and various electronic products.

Trade volumes from China to Kenya have been growing in double digits over the past five years, but lack of a direct cargo plane between the two countries has pushed China to third position in terms of export of goods to Kenya.

Latest data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics show that the UAE beat India and china to the largest exporter of goods to Kenya in the 11 months of 2011.

With the direct plane that will be flying two times a week from China, it could reclaim its position as the biggest source of imports.