Asian airlines add more Africa flights

Photo source: Air India

Asian airlines are beginning to increase connectivity to Africa as tourism and business ties between the two regions grow. Air India has launched a codeshare partnership with Kenya Airways, AirAsia X is exploring flights to Tanzania after entering the African market last year, and Shanghai Airlines has begun operating flights to Morocco. Singapore Airlines has also increased the frequency of its South African services. 

Under a new codeshare agreement, Air India and Kenya Airways will share flights on key routes between Asia and Nairobi. Air India passengers will be able to book seats on Kenya Airways’ Nairobi-Mumbai flights, with onward connections to destinations including Bangkok, Colombo, Dhaka, Malé, Melbourne, and Singapore. Similarly, Kenya Airways passengers can now travel to Delhi on Air India’s flights from Nairobi. The airlines plan to extend the partnership to more destinations over time.

Meanwhile, AirAsia X, the long-haul arm of Malaysia’s low-cost carrier AirAsia, is eyeing further growth in Africa. In November 2024, it launched a Kuala Lumpur-Nairobi route, marking its entry into the continent. The new service was welcomed as a boost for tourism, business, and trade between Southeast Asia and East Africa. AirAsia X is now assessing potential expansion into Tanzania, with a delegation from the airline recently visiting the country to explore the possibility of launching flights. The airline has also previously announced plans for routes to Cape Town and Cairo.

Shanghai Airlines, a subsidiary of China Eastern Airlines, has also expanded into Africa. Earlier this month, its first flight landed at Mohammed V International Airport in Casablanca. Morocco has overtaken Egypt as the most-visited African country. In 2023, around 60,000 Chinese visitors travelled to Morocco, a figure that has surged to over 100,000 in 2024 – a 78% rise. The country has emerged as a key destination for Chinese investment, especially in the electric vehicle supply chain. Morocco’s proximity to Europe, access to critical minerals, and free-trade agreements with the European Union and the US have drawn Chinese companies looking to circumvent Western tariffs.

Beyond China, Morocco is working to enhance connectivity with India. The Kingdom’s ambassador to India recently stated that discussions are underway with Moroccan and Indian carriers for non-stop flights. While Indian visitors make up a small share of total arrivals, their numbers are rising rapidly. More than 40,000 Indians visited Morocco in 2024, a 43% increase from the previous year and 150% higher than in 2019. The introduction of an e-visa for Indian travellers to Morocco has contributed to this growth.

Economic ties between the two countries are also strengthening. Tata Advanced Systems, a defence subsidiary of India’s Tata Group, is establishing a manufacturing facility in Morocco for combat vehicles. Morocco has also emerged as a key supplier of phosphate-based fertilisers to India and is looking to attract further Indian investment in defence, information technology, and logistics. Additionally, it is exploring fruit exports to India to diversify trade. Bilateral trade between the two countries reached US$2.4bn in 2024.

Singapore Airlines is also increasing its flight frequencies to South Africa, adding more services during peak travel periods. Between 11 December 2024 and 10 January 2025, Singapore Airlines added three weekly flights to Johannesburg, bringing the total to 10 per week. The airline plans to implement the same increase between 2 April and 24 October 2025.

South Africa is taking steps to draw more visitors from China and India. Recently, the country announced the Trusted Tour Operator Scheme to simplify visa applications for group travellers from both nations. Under this system, accredited tour operators can submit visa applications on behalf of their clients, expediting the process. The government is also developing a digital visa system to further ease entry procedures. Currently, Indian tourists account for just 3.9% of all international visitors to South Africa, while Chinese visitors make up 1.8%

 

References

‘Morocco 'explodes' as hotspot for Chinese investment in electric vehicles and new energy’, South China Morning Post, 27 July 2024

'Singapore Airlines adds flights to Johannesburg in peak seasons', The African Travel and Tourism Association, 15 August 2024

'Tata to set up final assembly line for armoured platform in Morocco', The Hindu, 01 October 2024

'AirAsia X explores direct flight to Dar', Daily News Tanzania, 03 October 2024

'Home Affairs gazettes Trusted Tour Operator Scheme (TTOS) to supercharge tourism from China and India', Department of Home Affairs South Africa, 28 October 2024

'AirAsia X inaugurates its first flight to Nairobi from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia', AirAsia, 16 November 2024

'Airlines from China and Morocco reopen services', China News, 23 January 2025

'Air India and Kenya Airways enter codeshare partnership', Air India, 30 January 2025

‘Morocco eyes direct flights with India to boost trade and tourism’, The Hindu Business Line, 03 February 2025