Africa’s leading carrier Ethiopian Airlines has announced the launch of five weekly flights on the Addis Ababa-Dhaka-Addis Ababa route, set to begin on November 2.
"Bangladesh is a dynamic and growing market, and we are confident that our modern fleet and exceptional service will meet the needs of travellers between our two regions," said Mesfin Tasew, group CEO of Ethiopian Airlines.
The new service is expected to significantly boost the socio-economic ties between Bangladesh and Ethiopia, with potential benefits extending beyond the two countries.
The route will be operated with Ethiopian Airlines’ state-of-the-art Boeing B787 Dreamliner, providing passengers with a comfortable and seamless travel experience.
Shohag Hossain, managing director of Rhythm Group and general sales agent (GSA) for Ethiopian Airlines in Bangladesh, noted that the new route will offer competitive fares and various connecting flight options for Bangladeshi expatriates.
"The airline connects all major cities in Europe and North America from its hub in Addis Ababa," Hossain said.
He also added that Ethiopian Airlines, which currently serves 10 destinations in the United States, plans to increase the frequency of flights to Dhaka, potentially offering daily services soon after the commencement of its commercial operations in Bangladesh this November.
The launch of this service follows a series of consultations and diplomatic efforts between the two nations. In December last year, the civil aviation authorities of Bangladesh and Ethiopia signed a service agreement in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, paving the way for this new route.
The Dhaka service will further enhance Ethiopian Airlines' extensive global network, which includes over 63 destinations in Africa and nearly 150 worldwide.
With a fleet of 147 aircraft, Ethiopian Airlines is Africa’s largest airline in terms of passenger numbers, destinations, fleet size, and revenue. It is also ranked as the world’s fourth-largest airline by the number of countries served.