Etihad launches Abu Dhabi–Addis Ababa flights, expanding its African footprint
October 9, 2025
Etihad Airways has touched down in Ethiopia for the first time, launching new daily flights between Abu Dhabi and Addis Ababa. The move significantly expands Etihad’s African footprint and formally activates its joint venture with Ethiopian Airlines — a partnership designed to reshape connectivity between the Gulf, East Africa and beyond.
The inaugural flights operated at full capacity in both directions, underscoring robust demand for direct air links between the two capitals.
New Etihad Addis Ababa flights strengthen Gulf–East Africa air corridor
The new route connects Zayed International Airport (AUH) with Addis Ababa Bole International Airport (ADD), positioning Abu Dhabi as a vital new access point for East Africa. Both Etihad and Ethiopian Airlines will now operate daily flights on the route, offering passengers a twice-daily service and streamlined connectivity across their respective networks.
This is Etihad’s first foray into Ethiopia and marks a key milestone in its strategy to become a dominant player in Gulf–Africa aviation. Through the joint venture, the two flag carriers will coordinate schedules, codeshare across key markets, and collaborate in areas such as loyalty programmes, cargo, and crew training — creating a seamless travel experience for passengers and businesses alike.
Why Etihad is expanding into Ethiopia’s growing aviation market
Ethiopia is one of Africa’s most dynamic aviation markets. As home to the African Union and one of the continent’s largest airline networks, Addis Ababa is a political, diplomatic, and transport hub with growing importance in global trade and connectivity. The Ethiopian capital also serves as a key transfer point for more than 55 African destinations, enabling Etihad to offer access far beyond a single point-to-point route.
For Ethiopian Airlines, the partnership provides streamlined access to over 20 destinations across Asia, Australia and the Middle East via Etihad’s Abu Dhabi hub, particularly valuable given the growing interest in Asia–Africa trade corridors.
Etihad’s entry into Ethiopia also positions it more competitively alongside Emirates, which already serves Addis Ababa, and other Gulf carriers looking to capitalise on Africa’s strong long-term aviation growth potential.
The launch of the Addis Ababa service is part of a broader African expansion for Etihad in 2025. The airline is doubling flights to Nairobi by December, increasing frequencies to Casablanca and Johannesburg, and strengthening its presence in East Africa with the return of seasonal flights to Zanzibar in summer 2026.
New services to Tunis and Algiers are also planned next month, creating a wider network that links key African markets with the Middle East, Asia, and Europe. These moves underscore Etihad’s ambitions to serve not just as a Gulf connector, but as a central player in a rapidly shifting global aviation landscape.
Addis Ababa: A cultural and commercial gateway for Gulf travellers
Beyond its strategic value, Addis Ababa is a destination in its own right. Often referred to as the “beating heart of Africa,” the Ethiopian capital is home to vibrant cultural landmarks such as the National Museum, Holy Trinity Cathedral, and the bustling Merkato — one of the world’s largest open-air markets.
Set against the Entoto Hills and known for its tree-lined boulevards, coffee culture, and warm hospitality, Addis offers a blend of tradition and modernity that continues to draw visitors and investors alike.
Etihad’s new service opens the door for greater leisure and business travel between the UAE and Ethiopia, complementing strong trade and investment ties that have grown significantly in recent years.
Etihad and Ethiopian Airlines flight schedules between Abu Dhabi and Addis Ababa
Etihad’s new service is operated by an Airbus A320 and offers daily frequencies with the following schedule:
- EY 0727 departs Abu Dhabi at 09:00, arriving in Addis Ababa at 12:35
- EY 0728 departs Addis Ababa at 13:55, arriving in Abu Dhabi at 19:15
Ethiopian Airlines also operates a daily service with a Boeing 737-8:
- ET 615 departs Abu Dhabi at 04:25, arriving in Addis Ababa at 07:45
- ET 614 departs Addis Ababa at 21:50, arriving in Abu Dhabi at 03:10 the next day
Together, the dual operation offers business and leisure travellers flexible timing and improved options for onward connections across both continents.
Etihad’s entry into Ethiopia, combined with its broader African expansion, signals a deliberate play to challenge regional rivals and position Abu Dhabi as a central hub in the global south. As the joint venture with Ethiopian Airlines matures, it may also serve as a model for deeper airline collaboration in emerging markets.
For the aviation industry, the move reflects broader trends: increased competition for intra-African and transcontinental traffic, a shift towards hub‑to‑hub partnerships, and a growing focus on unlocking the commercial potential of African airspace.
As Etihad continues its global network expansion, with Addis Ababa its 10th new destination in 2025 and 20 more planned, the airline’s vision is clear: to connect people, economies, and cultures through Abu Dhabi with world-class service and increasingly seamless connectivity.
