Ethiopian Airlines Plans fresh Flights to Australia, But There's 1 Issue!!

dailyblitz.de 5 hours ago

ADDIS ABABA— Ethiopian Airlines (ET) is set to launch its first-ever service to Australia, marking a milestone in the airline’s expansion strategy. The carrier plans to operate the route from its primary hub at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport (ADD), although the specific destination and timeline remain unconfirmed.

Initial analysis shows Melbourne (MEL) as the most in-demand city in Australia based on passenger traffic, followed by Brisbane (BNE) and Perth (PER). Ethiopian Airlines is evaluating widebody aircraft options, including the Airbus A350 and Boeing 787, to serve the long-haul market.

Ethiopian Airlines Eyes Australia Flights

Ethiopian Airlines (ET)’s move to connect Africa and Australia is a significant strategic step, aiming to tap into a market long underserved by direct African carriers.

The airline has yet to announce whether it will lease or acquire new Airbus A350s or Boeing 787 Dreamliners to support the ultra-long-haul operation. Aircraft procurement and regulatory approvals are pending, delaying any official launch date.

According to Telila Deressa Gutema, the carrier’s Regional Manager for the Asia-Pacific, preparations are well underway.

Ethiopian Airlines currently lacks any direct service to Australia, and the planned launch would strengthen its global reach and position it as a competitive player in the intercontinental market.

Passenger demand data from OAG Traffic Analyzer for the year ending July 2024 identifies Melbourne (MEL) as the most viable destination from Addis Ababa (ADD), with nearly 6,000 round-trip travelers.

Brisbane (BNE) and Perth (PER) trail far behind with approximately 1,000 passengers each. Sydney (SYD) data was not disclosed, likely due to volumes falling below the reporting threshold, but it remains a significant connection point via African hubs, flagged Simple Flying.

Are the New Routes viable?

Ethiopian Airlines’ route planners are likely to consider several factors beyond just direct traffic. Connecting markets such as Johannesburg (JNB), Cairo (CAI), Cape Town (CPT), and Nairobi (NBO) provide potential feeder traffic for Australia-bound flights.

The Cairo–Addis Ababa–Sydney route appears particularly attractive due to its unserved status and absence of direct competition, unlike the Johannesburg–Sydney market, which is already covered by Qantas (QF).

However, this strategy may face indirect pressure from Gulf carriers such as Emirates (EK) and Qatar Airways (QR), both offering one-stop services to Australia via Dubai (DXB) and Doha (DOH), respectively.

Despite competition, Ethiopian Airlines’ hub in Addis Ababa (ADD) offers geographic advantages for eastbound flights and connectivity across the African continent, supporting its broader mission to position itself as a global connector.

Distance and Operational Considerations

The prospective Australian routes would be among the longest in Ethiopian’s network.

The potential Addis Ababa–Brisbane route would span 6,948 nautical miles (12,869 km), while the Addis Ababa–Sydney flight would cover 6,819 nautical miles (12,629 km). The shortest among the considered cities is Melbourne, at 6,495 nautical miles (12,029 km).

Such distances require the airline to rely on long-range widebody aircraft. Ethiopian’s current fleet includes 20 Airbus A350-900s and 29 Boeing 787s (19 787-8s and 10 787-9s), both capable of handling the range requirements.