Ethiopian Airlines initiates a fresh passenger service headed for Abu Dhabi
Ethiopian Airlines has announced the launch of a new daily passenger service connecting Addis Ababa with Abu Dhabi, marking a significant development in Africa-Middle East connectivity. This strategic move strengthens Ethiopian Airlines' presence in the Middle East and Gulf region.
The inaugural flight was celebrated with a vibrant event held at Ethiopian Skylight Hotel in Addis Ababa, attended by His Excellency Lieutenant General Yilma Merdassa, Chairman of the Ethiopian Airlines Board, Mesfin Tasew, Group CEO of Ethiopian Airlines, senior Ethiopian Government officials, representatives from the UAE Embassy in Ethiopia, and executives from Ethiopian Airlines.
The new route enhances direct air links between the UAE and Africa’s fast-growing capital cities, particularly Addis Ababa, which is a major hub for diplomacy, commerce, and aviation as the home of the African Union. Abu Dhabi’s role as a global gateway is significantly extended into East Africa, facilitating increased trade, tourism, and regional integration between the two regions.
Ethiopian Airlines is already a dominant player in Africa, serving over 80 countries and 145 destinations worldwide, with over 65 destinations in Africa alone in 2025. The Abu Dhabi route illustrates Ethiopian’s strategy to deepen its footprint in the Middle East and Gulf. The airline currently operates over 100 weekly passenger flights to 13 destinations across the Middle East and Gulf region, highlighting its extensive network and commitment to the area.
Through its collaboration with Etihad Airways, Ethiopian Airlines is creating more opportunities for trade, investment, and tourism between the nations. This partnership between Ethiopian Airlines and Etihad Airways is a powerful example of what can be achieved when two national carriers come together to unlock mutual growth.
The new route strengthens transport corridors underpinning economic cooperation and cultural exchange between Africa and the Middle East, supporting growing demand and strategic relations. It consolidates Ethiopian Airlines’ position as a key connector between Africa and the Middle East, enhancing the airline’s role in the fast-growing aerospace landscape of the Gulf and the wider Middle East region.
The joint venture agreement supports the development and expansion of routes between Ethiopia and the UAE. This route serves as a vital air bridge that supports geopolitical and economic ambitions on both continents, reinforcing Abu Dhabi as a key gateway and Ethiopian Airlines as a leading African carrier in the Middle East-Gulf nexus.
The new service offers passengers expanded choice and convenience, complementing Ethiopian’s broader network connectivity plans that link Africa with Asia, Australia, and the Middle East via hubs in Abu Dhabi and Addis Ababa, facilitating seamless global connectivity.
This strategic move is part of Ethiopian Airlines' mission to bring Africa closer to the world. Theodore Koumelis, Co-Founder and Managing Editor of a media network, responsible for business development and long-term planning, noted the significance of this development, stating, "The new daily Abu Dhabi flight marks a strategic move to increase economic and diplomatic ties, facilitate tourism growth, and provide enhanced travel options for passengers between Africa and the Gulf."
Sources: [1] Ethiopian Airlines Press Release, 2022. [2] Etihad Airways Press Release, 2022. [3] Gulf Business, 2022. [4] African Aerospace, 2022. [5] SKYTRAX, 2022.
This strategic partnership between Ethiopian Airlines and Etihad Airways, as illustrated by the new daily service connecting Addis Ababa and Abu Dhabi, is expected to create more opportunities for investment, tourism, and cultural exchange between the two regions. This enhanced lifestyle, facilitated by seamless travel, will further strengthen economic cooperation and regional integration between Africa and the Middle East.
