Wednesday November 29, 2023
Addis Ababa (HOL) — Ethiopian Airlines has expanded its international network by launching its 136th destination, London/Gatwick, on November 21. The move is part of its Vision 2035 initiative, which aims to serve 207 destinations. This strategic move aims to transform Addis Ababa into a global aviation hub, challenging major airlines like Qatar Airways and Turkish Airlines.
In 2023 alone, Ethiopian Airlines added twelve significant destinations, including Ouagadougou, Bangui, Bosaso, Ndola, Chengdu, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Atlanta, Copenhagen, Medina, and Karachi. The airline plans further expansion with upcoming additions like Bahrain and Madrid. These new routes are part of Ethiopian Airlines' ambitious expansion strategy, aiming to increase its destinations to 207 and fleet size to 271 aircraft by 2035.
Lemma Yadecha, the Chief Commercial Officer of Ethiopian Airlines, emphasizes the airline's growth through new aircraft acquisition and destination expansion. The airline has recently made a significant deal with Boeing for up to 67 new aircraft, including 11 787 Dreamliners and 20 737 MAX, with an option for 36 additional planes. An agreement for 11 Airbus A350-900s also marks a significant step in its fleet expansion.
Ethiopian Airlines focuses on strengthening its European presence, operating in 18 cities and exploring new routes to Lisbon and Amsterdam, subject to slot availability. The airline is also assessing opportunities in the Australian market, recognizing the significant potential due to the African diaspora.
The challenges for Ethiopian Airlines include securing airport slots in major European destinations and boosting frequencies in existing markets. The airline is considering enhanced services to North American cities like Houston and Atlanta to strengthen its position in these markets.
Since its inception in 1945, Ethiopian Airlines has become Africa's largest airline and the fourth-largest globally by the number of countries served. Based at Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa, it is a member of the Star Alliance, serving a vast network of passenger and freight destinations. Ethiopian Airlines' commitment to connecting cultures and facilitating global commerce is set to redefine Africa's role in international aviation, creating new opportunities for trade, tourism, and cultural exchange.