Ethiopian Airlines is Africa’s largest carrier by several metrics, despite having minimal competition for the designation. As of January 16, and subject to change, the Star Alliance member aims to fly passengers to 138 airports from its Addis Abeba hub this year.
New foreign additions include Freetown (May 2024), Maun (June 2024), Warsaw (July 2024), Port Sudan (October 2024), Dhaka (November 2024), and Monrovia (November 2024).
After introducing its fifth Indian route to Hyderabad, 19 of its 138 passenger destinations will be in Asia (excluding the Middle East).
Hyderabad gets Ethiopian flights
On June 16, the Star Alliance carrier will begin service on its maiden African route from Hyderabad. The 2,368 nautical mile (4,386 km) service will operate three times a week (a reasonable starting frequency) on the two-class, 160-seat Boeing 737 MAX 8.
It will be Ethiopia’s fifth-longest nonstop narrowbody destination, following Dhaka, Abidjan, Delhi, and Chennai.
Hyderabad will become its sixth Indian city, after Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, and Mumbai. The flight schedule is as follows, with all times local:
- Addis Ababa to Hyderabad: ET682, 16:10-00:40+1 (6h block time)
- Hyderabad to Addis Ababa: ET683, 01:55-05:55 (6h 30m)
NOTE :- Unlike some of Ethiopian’s routes, the schedule means the operating aircraft returns straightaway.
Hyderabad to Africa
In the 12-month period ending October 2024, around 106,000 passengers (290 each day) traveled between Hyderabad and Africa. Unsurprisingly, Addis Ababa’s point-to-point market was small (2,000).
In contrast, Nairobi was the largest market (15,000), and booking records indicate that Air India carried the most passengers via Delhi. Cairo was next (7,000), followed by Johannesburg (6,000), Dar es Salaam (5,000), and Tel Aviv (5,000). These five markets alone accounted for almost 37% of Hyderabad’s overall African trade.
Let’s think about the schedule
The 05:55 arrival in Addis Abeba coincides to the majority of Ethiopia’s inbound flights from Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and North America. This is because it connects with the majority of Africa-wide flights.
But take note of the 16:10 departure time from Addis Abeba. This is part of Ethiopian’s increasing third wave of flights, which will improve competitiveness, market share, and aircraft utilization while reducing congestion during peak periods.
The drawback is that there are less ways connecting now than during Ethiopia’s peak waves, though this will change. Other Indian planes depart during this time, including Delhi (15:55) and Chennai (16:10).
In Hyderabad’s case, its two main markets, Nairobi and Cairo, will not link with the third wave, preventing two-way communication. However, Dar es Salaam, Johannesburg, and Tel Aviv also have competitive times.
More than 15 other African cities, including Accra, Entebbe, and Mogadishu, will connect in both ways, albeit they are smaller. However, the cumulative effect of merging numerous marketplaces is critical for hubs.
Five Indian routes (for now)
Ethiopian intends up to six daily voyages to India in June, though this is subject to change.
- Bengaluru: three weekly 737 MAX 8
- Chennai: four weekly 737 MAX 8
- Delhi: double daily 787-8/787-9
- Hyderabad: three weekly 737 MAX 8
- Mumbai: double daily 787-9
Where Ethiopia’s Indian market travels
Analyzing booking data for the year ending October 2024 reveals that the great majority of passengers—620,000 (1,700 per day)—connected to another flight in Addis Ababa. The most popular sources and destinations were listed below. They had approximately 190,000 passengers, with Mumbai to Johannesburg being one of Africa’s greatest underserved markets.
- Mumbai to Johannesburg
- Delhi to Toronto
- Delhi to Tel Aviv
- Mumbai to Cape Town
- Mumbai to Lubumbashi
- Mumbai to Kinshasa
- Mumbai to Lusaka
- Delhi to Lagos
- Mumbai to Lagos
- Delhi to Johannesburg
NOTE :- Yes, Toronto is there. Passengers sought lower fares despite the detour and two-stop service (via Addis Ababa and Rome) to Canada.
FAQ
Which new Indian route has Ethiopian Airlines launched?
Ethiopian Airlines has recently launched a new route connecting Addis Ababa to Mumbai, India. This new route expands the airline’s network in Asia, marking its 19th destination in the region.
What makes this new route significant for Ethiopian Airlines?
The new route to Mumbai adds an important market for Ethiopian Airlines, helping them increase their presence in India and further solidifying their position as a key carrier in Africa-Asia connectivity.
How many destinations does Ethiopian Airlines serve in Asia now?
With the addition of Mumbai, Ethiopian Airlines now serves a total of 19 destinations across Asia, making it one of the prominent carriers linking Africa and Asia.
What other Indian cities does Ethiopian Airlines serve?
Apart from Mumbai, Ethiopian Airlines already operates flights to New Delhi and Bengaluru, strengthening its connectivity to India.
What aircraft does Ethiopian Airlines use for the new Mumbai route?
Ethiopian Airlines operates its modern fleet of Boeing 787 Dreamliners on the new Mumbai route, ensuring a comfortable and efficient travel experience for passengers.
