Ethiopian Airlines announces new routes to Asia and Europe
Ethiopian Airlines, one of Africa's biggest carriers, has announced big changes to its operation strategies to Asia and Europe.
The airline plans to launch a new service between Addis Ababa - Bangkok - Hong Kong starting on June 4, 2018 with Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner that can seat 24 business passengers and 246 economy in Ethiopean configuration. The Addis Ababa based airline will use 7th freedom right to operate on the Bangkok to Hong Kong sector. Freedoms of the air allow airlines the right to carry passengers or cargo between two foreign countries without any continuing service to one's own country.
The Hong Kong to Bangkok route is facing intense competition with more than 20 flights per day from 6 carriers include Cathay Pacific. In additional to Ethiopean Airlines, Brueni based Royal Brueni and Dubai based Emirates are also using freedom rights to compete on the Hong Kong to Bangkok sector with a mix of 787, A320 and A380 respectively.
Moreover, Ethiopian will add one more route from Hong Kong, as the airline plans to start flights between Manila and Hong Kong in June 2, 2018. Flights will be operated 4 times a week on the Boeing 787-8. There are currently 4 carriers operating flights between Manila to Hong Kong with aircraft including A350 (Cathay Pacific) and Boeing 777 (Philippine Airlines). Due to range limits, the Boeing 787s are not capable to fly directly from Addis Ababa to Manila. Passengers currently need to stopover at either Bangkok or Singapore.
After the expansion of footprint to Southern Asia from Hong Kong, Ethiopian will cancel its flights from Hong Kong to Tokyo, and Seoul Incheon.
Ethiopian also plans to launch a new flight from Addis Ababa to the Spanish city of Madrid, starting June 3, 2018. Flights between the two cities will happen 3 times a week during June. Starting in July, the frequency will be changed to 4 weekly flights.
Ethiopian Airlines expansion is being fueled by its new generation aircraft such as the Boeing 787 and the Airbus A350-900XWB. The Boeing 787-8 has became the mainline fleet for the carrier since its first delivery a few years ago and has major contribution on Ethiopean Airlines' long haul expansion.
The African national carrier has its sight set on becoming as big as Emirates and dominating the skies with aggressive expansion plans. The national carrier made headlines this week when it announced the purchase of 45 percent of troubled Zambia Airways. Ethiopian Airlines successfully acquired the operations of Malawian Airlines back in 2013. In addition, Ethiopian Airlines is also currently in talks with the government of Ghana regarding the relaunch of that country's national carrier.