• Astral Aviation has restarted its dedicated Haikou–Johannesburg freighter service in partnership with Fly Noor Aviation Services, strengthening air cargo connectivity between China and Africa through Astral’s Nairobi hub.
• The twice-weekly service will operate with a Boeing 767-300 Freighter offering 50-tonne payload capacity per flight, supporting flows of e-commerce shipments, electronics, pharmaceuticals, automotive parts and consumer goods into Africa, while enabling exports of African commodities to Asian markets.
• The renewed route reflects growing China–Africa trade demand and expands Astral’s strategy of developing strategic trade corridors, with Johannesburg serving as a regional distribution gateway and Haikou providing access to China’s growing manufacturing and logistics sector.

Astral Aviation, one of Africa’s leading all-cargo airlines, has announced the re-start of its dedicated Haikou (China) –Johannesburg (South Africa) freighter service in partnership with Fly Noor Aviation Services, following the signing of astrategic cooperation agreement at the Air Cargo China 2026 exhibition in Shanghai.

The agreement was signed by Sanjeev Gadhia, Chief Executive Officer of Astral Aviation, and Damanpreet Singh,Chief Executive Officer of Fly Noor Aviation Services, marking the beginning of a strategic collaboration to strengthen air cargo connectivity between China and Africa.

Under the agreement, Astral Aviation will operate a twice-weekly scheduled freighter service using its Boeing 767-300 Freighter, offering a 50-tonne payload capacity per flight. The service will provide a fast, reliable and efficient logistics solution linking Haikou, the capital of Hainan Province and China’s rapidly expanding Free Trade Port, with Johannesburg via Astral Aviation’s Nairobi hub — Africa’s premier cargo gateway.

The route is expected to support the growing movement of e-commerce shipments, electronics, consumer goods, textiles, automotive parts, pharmaceuticals and general cargo from China into Africa, while facilitating exports of perishables,agricultural products and other high-value African commodities into Asian markets.

The resumption of the service comes at a time when China–Africa trade continues to experience robust growth, creatingincreased demand for dependable air cargo capacity and direct connectivity. By combining Fly Noor’s commercial expertise with Astral Aviation’s extensive African network and operational experience, the partnership will deliver enhancedlogistics solutions for freight forwarders, shippers and e-commerce providers across both regions.

Damanpreet Singh, CEO of Fly Noor Aviation Services, added: “Our partnership with Astral Aviation combines two organizations committed to delivering dependable, customer-focused air cargo solutions. We are excited to offer the market a scheduled service that meets the growing demand for efficient transportation between China and Africa while supporting the continuedexpansion of trade between both regions.”

Speaking on the announcement, Sanjeev Gadhia, CEO of Astral Aviation, said: “We are delighted to partner with Fly Noor Aviation Services in re-starting the Haikou–Johannesburg freighter service. The agreement signed at Air Cargo China 2026 reflects our shared vision of building stronger logistics bridges between China and Africa. This dedicated twice-weekly service will provide customers with reliable capacity, faster transit times and seamless access to one of the world’s fastest-growing trade corridors.”

Johannesburg will serve as the primary gateway for cargo distribution throughout Southern, Eastern and Central Africa via Astral Aviation’s established regional network, while Haikou provides strategic access to one of China’s fastest-growing manufacturing, logistics and e-commerce centres.

The re-start of the service further reinforces Astral Aviation’s long-term strategy of expanding strategic trade lanes thatconnect Africa with key global markets through reliable scheduled freighter operations.

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