Dhaka: Ethiopian Airlines, recognized as Africa’s largest airline and a member of the Star Alliance, is poised to officially enter the Bangladeshi market with the launch of its inaugural flight on the Addis Ababa-Dhaka-Addis Ababa route this Sunday. This development marks a significant milestone in enhancing connectivity between Bangladesh and Africa, aligning with Ethiopian Airlines’ mission to ‘Connect Continents, Cultures, and Communities.’
According to United News of Bangladesh, the airline will operate five flights weekly, offering travelers from Bangladesh convenient access to over 155 destinations globally, including key cities across Africa, Europe, North America, and other regions. The inaugural flight, ET 678, will be conducted using a Boeing Dreamliner 787-9, arriving at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) at 8:30 am on November 3, with a return to Addis Ababa scheduled for 9:40 am the same day.
Regular flights will depart from Dhaka in the mornings on Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays,
with additional evening departures on Mondays and Fridays. Air Vice Marshal Md Monjur Kabir Bhuiyan, Chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB), will be present at the launch ceremony at HSIA, along with Lemma Yadecha, Ethiopian Airlines’ Group Chief Commercial Officer (CCO).
Mesfin Tasew, Group CEO of Ethiopian Airlines, expressed confidence in the airline’s ability to meet the travel needs between the two regions, highlighting the potential to strengthen socio-economic ties between Bangladesh and Ethiopia. Shohag Hossain, Managing Director of Rhythm Group, Ethiopian Airlines’ General Sales Agent in Bangladesh, emphasized the airline’s competitive fares and extensive global network, positioning it as a preferred choice for Bangladeshi travelers.
With a fleet of 147 aircraft, Ethiopian Airlines stands as Africa’s largest carrier by passenger volume, fleet size, and revenue, ranking fourth globally in terms of countries served. Already a notable presence in South Asia, with destinations in
cluding Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Mumbai, and Karachi, the addition of Dhaka signifies a substantial step in the airline’s Asian expansion strategy.