- Etihad Airways launching nonstop flights from Abu Dhabi to Addis Ababa on October 1st, 2025.
- Ethiopian Airlines initiating flights to Abu Dhabi from July 15th.
- Partnership aims to make travel more affordable and accessible for passengers.
- Abu Dhabi continues its drive to boost tourism, with airport expansion and recognition as a top airport.
Abu Dhabi, UAE/Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – Ethiopian Airlines and Etihad have announced a strategic Joint Venture (JV) and codeshare agreement, a move that is set to improve travel across Africa, the Middle East, and Asia, Etihad Airways and
This partnership, formalized at Ethiopian Airlines’ headquarters in Addis Ababa, aims at unlocking a vast network of destinations for passengers, facilitating seamless connections and enhancing travel experiences.
The collaboration will see the introduction of new direct flights between Abu Dhabi and Addis Ababa. Ethiopian Airlines will commence flights from Addis Ababa Bole International Airport (ADD) to Zayed International Airport (AUH) on July 15th, while Etihad Airways will launch daily services to Addis Ababa starting October 1st, 2025.
Related: SalamAir, Oman’s Low-cost Airline to Launch Direct Flights From Muscat to Nairobi
This new addition will mark Addis Ababa as Etihad’s fifteenth new destination for 2025, and Abu Dhabi as Ethiopian Airlines’ 145th global destination.
The partnership holds immense potential for improving connectivity within Africa and between Africa and other key regions.
What does this mean for African travelers? Access to a wider range of destinations in the Middle East and Asia, and possibly, more affordable fares.
Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Airways, Antonoaldo Neves, had this to say:
“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.”
Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO, Mesfin Tasew, also highlighted the importance of the partnership, stating:
“This collaboration marks a significant milestone in our efforts to enhance connectivity between Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. By leveraging our combined networks, we are committed to providing our passengers with greater travel convenience and exceptional service.“
This announcement comes shortly after Etihad resumed operating direct flights between Abu Dhabi and Nairobi, Kenya.
Related: Etihad Airways Resumes Flights to Nairobi
This demonstrates a strong commitment to the African continent which will significantly benefit African travelers.
The partnership also aligns with Abu Dhabi’s broader strategy to promote tourism in what they call Tourism Strategy 2030 where they plans to boost visitor numbers to 39.3 million and increase the sector’s GDP contribution to AED 90 billion by 2030.
For a long time, its neighbouring emirate, Dubai, has been at the forefront of tourism, as they diversify the different sectors of their economy.
Abu Dhabi is actively investing in its infrastructure, including the building of a new Terminal at the Zayed International Airport, which has recently been recognized as the most beautiful airport in the world.
This partnership is a big win for African travelers and entrepreneurs/investors. Itr allows for the easy movement from one country to another. Over the last couple of years, we have seen a great number of Africans relocate to the middle east for work while others set up businesses there. This improves trade between these regions, a move that will for sure get a lot of support.
