Ethiopian Informer
Photo from Ethiopian Airlines shows ceremony to mark the Airlines’ inaugural flight to Hanoi, Vietnam.
ADDIS ABABA (EI): Ethiopian Airlines, Africa’s leading aviation group and one of the fastest-growing airline brands globally, has launched new passenger services from Addis Ababa to Porto, Portugal and Vietnam’s capital Vietnam’s capital, Hanoi.
The inaugural flight to Porto departed from the Addis Ababa Bole International Airport in the Ethiopian capital, following a launching event on Wednesday evening, while
Mesfin Tasew, chief executive officer of Ethiopian Airlines Group, said the new route marks a “significant milestone” in the Ethiopian flag carrier’s ever-expanding global network, while also strengthening the growing socio-economic ties between Ethiopia and Portugal, in particular, and the broader Africa-Europe ties in general.
“We are very pleased to add Porto to Ethiopian airlines’ vast growing global network, stretching five continents. The commencement of this direct flight to Porto will provide a suitable connectivity between the people of Portugal and Africa, while fostering economic and cultural ties between the two regions,” he said.
“As one of Africa’s largest and most experienced airlines, Ethiopian airlines has a proud legacy of connecting the African continent with the rest of the world, including Europe, using Addis Ababa as the most suitable gateway,” the CEO said.
The new passenger service will operate four weekly flights, making a single stop in Madrid, Spain, according to the airline. With the addition of Porto, the airline now operates to 26 destinations in 17 countries across Europe, with over 200 weekly flights in both passenger and cargo services, it was noted.
Meanwhile, the Ethiopian national flag carrier said in a statement late Thursday that the new passenger service to Hanoi, capital of Vietnam, which marked its first destination in Vietnam, will strengthen the airline’s strategic expansion in Southeast Asia, while also deepening ties between the region and Africa.
The airlines’ CEO said the commencement of the new route “not only supports our vision of connecting Africa to the world, but also serves as a bridge for enhanced cooperation between Africa and Southeast Asia.” “We are confident that this route will facilitate growing tourism, business, and people-to-people ties between Vietnam and the African continent,” he said.
Currently, Ethiopian Airlines operates flights to 28 passenger and cargo destinations in Asia, with over 190 weekly frequencies, making it one of the most connected African carriers in the region. The new Addis Ababa–Hanoi route will be operated with a one-stop in Dhaka, Bangladesh, it was noted. The airlines said, with the launch of this new service, Ethiopian Airlines further solidifies its position as a key player in intercontinental air travel by bridging continents, cultures, and communities through seamless connectivity,” the airlines said.
