Etihad Airways And Ethiopian Airlines Establish Joint Venture To Enhance Connectivity With New Flights

The national airlines of the United Arab Emirates and Ethiopia have formed a Joint Venture (JV) to enhance connectivity between Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. This partnership, signed at Ethiopian Airlines' headquarters in Addis Ababa, includes a codeshare agreement, offering more travel options for passengers across both networks.

Antonoaldo Neves, Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Airways, stated: "This Joint Venture is great news for customers of both airlines. The start of flights between the two great cities of Addis Ababa and Abu Dhabi connects our expanding networks, giving our customers seamless access to a growing list of destinations via our extensive hubs. It also paves the way for deeper discussions on working together across our respective regions on other cooperation, including frequent flyer programmes, training and cargo."

Ethiopian Airlines will begin flights from Addis Ababa Bole International Airport to Zayed International Airport on 15 July. Meanwhile, Etihad Airways will launch daily flights to Addis Ababa starting 1 October. These new routes aim to strengthen ties between the two regions.

This collaboration aims to expand routes between the UAE and Ethiopia while improving connectivity across their networks. Subject to regulatory approval, this JV will allow both airlines to work together in developing these routes further.

Mesfin Tasew, Group CEO of Ethiopian Airlines, expressed: "We are delighted to enter into this strategic agreement with Etihad Airways. This collaboration marks a significant milestone in our efforts to enhance connectivity between Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. By leveraging our combined networks, we are committed to providing our passengers with greater travel convenience and exceptional service. This partnership underscores our dedication to fostering strong bilateral relations and promoting economic growth between Ethiopia and the UAE."

The JV highlights a shared commitment to offering expanded travel options for passengers traveling between major African destinations on Ethiopian’s network—such as Dar es Salaam, Kampala, Kinshasa, and Lusaka—and key cities in the UAE and Asia.

Expanding Global Presence

Ethiopian Airlines will operate the new route using its modern fleet, including Boeing 777s and Airbus A350-1000s. This ensures passengers enjoy a comfortable travel experience. The airline provides extensive connectivity from Addis Ababa Bole International Airport with smooth transit options.

As part of its strategy to strengthen its global presence, Ethiopian Airlines is launching its third destination in the UAE with this new flight to Abu Dhabi. The airline already serves Dubai and Sharjah (Cargo) with over 120 weekly passenger and cargo services to the Middle East and Gulf states.

The partnership aims to deliver greater value by strengthening links between Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. It results in a more seamless combined network for passengers.

With inputs from WAM