The award was handed to Ethiopian Airlines for being the first airline among top 10 cargo operators to the Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport.A statement from the Airline said the Award was announced at the Customers Annual Meeting, organised by Guangzhou Bayiun International Airport.

It said Ethiopian had the largest share, more than 11 per cent of the total international cargo transportation at the Airport.Mr Tewolde GebreMariam, Group CEO of Ethiopian Airlines, said: “We are very honoured that Guangzhou Airport has recognised us with this prestigious award."

It said Ethiopian Cargo and Logistics, which operates nine ultra-modern Boeing 777 Freighters, each with 100 tonnes uplift capacity, was facilitating trade flow between Africa and the rest of the world, thereby contributing to the economic development of the continent.

The statement said in particular, it was playing an important role in the success of the China One Belt One Road Initiative by availing critical air infrastructure that was boosting cargo export and import between Africa and China.

"I wish to thank all my colleagues at Ethiopian Cargo and Logistics for this well-deserved recognition and encourage them to work even harder to support Africa’s economic transformation,” it said.

Ethiopian won this award for the second time in a row outperforming competitor airlines by transporting 38,800 tonnes of import and export cargo to and from Baiyun International Airport in Guangzhou in 2018 alone.