Hyderabad, June 17 (UNI) In a significant boost to international connectivity, Ethiopian Airlines has launched its first-ever direct flight from Hyderabad to Africa, marking a major milestone in aviation ties between India and the African continent.
The new service connects Hyderabad with Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, with three weekly departures. Flight ET-682 from Addis Ababa departs at 1630 hours and arrives in Hyderabad at 0100 hours the next day, operating on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. The return flight, ET-683, departs Hyderabad at 0200 hours and reaches Addis Ababa at 0555 hours, operating on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.
Addressing a press conference in Hyderabad, Teklehaimanot G Yohannes, Managing Director of International Services at Ethiopian Airlines, emphasised the airline’s long-standing relationship with India and highlighted the importance of this new route in promoting tourism, medical travel, and business opportunities.
He stated that the direct flight not only opens a vital gateway between South India and Africa but also reinforces the airline’s commitment to strengthening cultural and economic ties between the two regions.
He further noted that Hyderabad’s growing prominence as a medical tourism hub makes it a strategic choice for African travellers seeking advanced healthcare, enabling direct access without transiting through cities like Delhi or Mumbai.
Ethiopian Airlines, which began its India operations in 1966, currently flies to Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Chennai. With Hyderabad now added to the network, the airline offers broader access to over 140 global destinations via its hub in Addis Ababa.
For the Hyderabad sector, Ethiopian Airlines is initially deploying the Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft with a seating capacity of 160 passengers. Depending on market demand, the airline plans to introduce larger aircraft and increase flight frequency. In response to concerns over high fares raised by some media members, airline officials assured that competitive promotional fares and seasonal offers would be introduced based on market response.
Earlier, Ms Tigist Eshetu, Regional Director of Sales & Marketing – Middle East, Gulf & Asia, Ethiopian Airlines Group, described the Hyderabad launch as a long-awaited milestone, identifying it as the airline’s sixth passenger and cargo gateway in India.
She expressed that the direct link to Hyderabad creates a significant opportunity for enhancing passenger and cargo operations and connectivity. She shared key highlights of the airline’s performance in the financial year 2023–24, including carrying 70.9 million passengers, uplifting 74,000 tonnes of cargo, and generating a revenue of USD 7 billion.
Ethiopian Airlines currently operates a fleet of more than 140 aircraft, with over 100 additional aircraft on order, and operates over 3,000 weekly flights connecting 143 international and 22 domestic destinations, including 70 freighter routes across five continents.
Ms Eshetu also highlighted the airline’s strategic hubs across Africa beyond Addis Ababa, including Lomé in Togo, Lilongwe in Malawi, and Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo. With a workforce of 19,000 employees, Ethiopian Airlines remains fully owned by the Ethiopian government and is a proud member of the Star Alliance.
In addition to passenger and cargo services, the airline has diversified its operations into hospitality, MRO (Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul), and aviation training. She noted that the airline’s Vision 2025 strategy aims to expand its global footprint and position Ethiopia as a leading tourism and aviation destination.
UNI VV ARN