Flight ET 684 of Ethiopian Airlines taxies on the landing apron of Pudong International Airport in east China's Shanghai Municiplaity, March 30, 2014. The landing of the plane here on Sunday marks the opening of the first direct flight between Shanghai and Africa. [Photo/Xinhua]

ADDIS ABABA - Ethiopian Airlines, one of the fastest growing airlines in Africa, on Saturday launched its maiden nonstop flight to Shanghai, China's largest city and commercial hub.

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Addressing an inauguration ceremony held in Addis Ababa, Tewolde Gebremariam, Chief Executive Office of Ethiopian Airlines, said by flying to 80 destinations in five continents, "we are the fastest growing African airline, the most profitable African airline and the largest international network African airline."

Starting Saturday, "we will connect Shanghai with 48 African destinations and Brazil every single day. With 28 weekly flights to China, China is the single largest country network in our system," he said.

Xie Xiaoyan, Chinese ambassador to Ethiopia, said with 28 direct flights per week, Ethiopian Airlines is the leading airline in Africa, linking the continent and China.

"Now the airline has extended its services to Shanghai, the industrial and financial center in China," said the ambassador.

"I am sure Ethiopian Airlines will continue to serve as a star business in strengthening and further expanding the economic ties between our two countries and the friendship between our two peoples," Xie said.

Ethiopian Airlines has been operating flights to Beijing, Guangzhou and Hangzhou and Hongkong. After Shanghai, the carrier will offer connectivity from five major cities in China to 48 cities in Africa.