Hainan Airline, touted as the largest privately-owned air transport company in China, plans to enter the East Africa market with a $50 million investment.

The airline signed an agreement with Astral Aviation Airlines Kenya recently, which was one of the 17 memorandums of understanding signed at State House between Kenya and China.

Its entry is likely to shake up a market dominated with national airlines – Kenya Airways, Air Uganda, Air Rwanda and Ethiopian Airlines.

Besides the $50-million infusion, it will also be betting on its experience in the world’s most populous country to make its presence felt across East Africa.

HNA Group’s chairman Chen Feng, who was among the Chinese delegation that accompanied Premier Li Keqiang on his two-day visit, signed the agreement with Astral Aviation’s chairman Anwar Hussein.