ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA – July 15, 2025 – Ethiopian Airlines, Africa’s leading aviation group, has significantly strengthened its presence in the Middle East with the launch of daily passenger flights connecting Addis Ababa (ADD) directly to Abu Dhabi (AUH), the capital of the United Arab Emirates. The inaugural flight, celebrated on July 15th, marks a pivotal expansion of the airline’s network and reinforces the growing economic and tourism ties between Africa and the UAE.
This new daily service to Abu Dhabi’s state-of-the-art Zayed International Airport builds on Ethiopian Airlines’ strategic vision to enhance connectivity and facilitate trade, investment, and tourism between Africa and the bustling Gulf region. It complements the airline’s existing robust operations to Dubai (both DXB and DWC for cargo) and Sharjah, making Abu Dhabi the fourth UAE airport served by the Pan-African carrier.
Strategic Partnership with Etihad Airways
The launch is underpinned by a strategic partnership with Etihad Airways, the UAE’s national airline. This collaboration aims to foster coordinated route development between the two carriers, providing passengers with greater flexibility, seamless connections, and expanded access to both airlines’ extensive global networks. This synergistic approach promises to unlock mutual growth opportunities and enhance the overall travel experience for passengers travelling between Africa, the Middle East, and beyond.
“The launch of our new service to Abu Dhabi reflects Ethiopian Airlines’ strategic commitment to connecting Africa with the world,” stated Mesfin Tasew, Group CEO of Ethiopian Airlines. “Through our collaboration with Etihad Airways, we are creating more opportunities for trade, investment, and tourism between our nations while offering our passengers expanded choice and convenience. This partnership is a powerful example of what can be achieved when two national carriers come together to unlock mutual growth.”
Boosting Business, Tourism, and Connectivity
The introduction of daily flights to Abu Dhabi is expected to yield substantial benefits:
- Increased Business Opportunities: The direct link will facilitate greater ease of travel for business professionals, fostering new trade and investment avenues between Ethiopia, a rapidly growing African economy, and the dynamic UAE.
- Enhanced Tourism Flow: Abu Dhabi, with its iconic landmarks, cultural attractions, and luxury offerings, is a major global tourist destination. The new flights will provide a convenient gateway for African travelers to explore the UAE and vice versa, boosting tourism figures for both regions.
- Seamless Global Connections: Leveraging Ethiopian Airlines’ extensive network across Africa and its strong connections to Europe, Asia, and the Americas, the new Abu Dhabi route will offer passengers from diverse origins streamlined access to the UAE capital. Similarly, travelers from Abu Dhabi can now seamlessly connect to over 130 Ethiopian Airlines destinations worldwide.
- Cargo Growth: While the initial focus is on passenger services, the increased frequency and direct connection will also likely enhance cargo capacity, further supporting trade flows.
With over 100 weekly passenger flights to 13 destinations across the Middle East and Gulf region, Ethiopian Airlines continues to solidify its position as a key player in connecting Africa with this vital economic hub. The average flight time between Addis Ababa and Abu Dhabi is approximately 4 hours and 20 minutes, offering a convenient and efficient travel option.
As Ethiopian Airlines continues its impressive growth trajectory, including recent launches to Hanoi and ongoing plans for direct flights to Australia, the addition of daily services to Abu Dhabi underscores its commitment to expanding its global footprint and delivering unparalleled connectivity for its passengers. This new route is more than just a flight; it’s a bridge fostering stronger ties and unlocking new possibilities between two thriving regions.
