UAE travel: Etihad Airways adds 15th destination in this year’s route expansions

Abu Dhabi: The national airline of the UAE, Etihad Airways, announced on Wednesday that it has inked a joint venture agreement with Ethiopia’s flag carrier, Ethiopian Airlines. The two airlines' signed a strategic partnership agreement, which includes a codeshare, at Ethiopian Airlines’ headquarters in Addis Ababa.

The agreement is subject to regulatory approval. According to the carriers, the Etihad – Ethiopian JV will enable both airlines to collaborate to develop and expand routes between the UAE and Ethiopia and improve connectivity across their respective networks.

Etihad Airways said it plans to start nonstop flights from Abu Dhabi to Addis Ababa on October 1, and Ethiopian Airlines is expected to start flights to Abu Dhabi from July 15. Addis Ababa marks Etihad’s fifteenth new destination for 2025, Abu Dhabi would be Ethiopian Airlines’ 145th global destination, the airlines’ said in a joint statement.

In November last year, Etihad unveiled 10 new destination launches for 2025, including Atlanta, Taipei, Medan, Phnom Penh, Krabi and Tunis.

The airline also said it would launch flights to 4 cities this year. The launch to Ethiopia marks Etihad's 15th destination launch.

According to Ethiopian Airlines Chairman Yilma Merdassa, the carrier is the leading airline in Africa, flying to more than 63 cities in the continent. "The partnership we plan to develop is beyond a simple partnership like codeshare. It is a joint venture... it is the first of its kind for Ethiopian Airlines," Merdassa said.

Ethiopian Airlines will operate flights on the new route using the Boeing 777 and Airbus A350-1000. The African carrier, which has a mixed configuration of 160 Boeing and Airbus aircraft in its operating fleet and 65 on order, offers extensive connectivity from Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, serving numerous international and domestic destinations with smooth transit options.

Etihad Airways is yet to unveil which aircraft will be deployed on this route. Mohamed Ali Al Shorafa, Chairman of Etihad Aviation Group, said the agreement is not just a 'commercial exchange, but the building of good relationships' between both nations.

“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.”

The carrier has also said this partnership is designed to deliver greater value to passengers by strengthening links between Africa, the Middle East, and Asia, resulting in a more seamless and comprehensive combined network.

Mesfin Tasew, Group CEO of Ethiopian Airlines, said this launch marks Ethiopian Airlines’ third destination in the UAE. “As part of our strategy to strengthen Ethiopian Airlines’ global presence, the launch of our new flight to Abu Dhabi marks our third destination in the UAE, following Dubai and Sharjah (Cargo),” said Tasew.

“With over 120 weekly passenger and cargo services to the Middle East and Gulf states, we are committed to providing exceptional connectivity and service to both our customers,” he added.

Antonoaldo Neves, CEO of Etihad Airways, said, “We are excited to extend a warm welcome to Ethiopian travellers visiting Abu Dhabi, where they can experience our renowned hospitality and immerse themselves in the rich culture of our city.”

The JV hopes to offer expanded travel options and a smoother journey for passengers travelling between major African destinations on Ethiopian’s network—such as Dar es Salaam, Tanzania; Kampala, Uganda; Kinshasa, DR Congo and Lusaka, Zambia—and key cities in the UAE and Asia, including Etihad destinations in Pakistan and Southeast Asia, such as Colombo, Sri Lanka, and Islamabad, Pakistan and upcoming new routes including Phnom Penh, Cambodia and Krabi, Thailand.