Ethiopian Airlines announced plans to start flights to Australia in 2028, which will make the carrier present on all continents.
About Ethiopian Airlines
Ethiopian Airlines is Africa’s biggest airline due to its fleet size, passenger capacity, number of destinations, and income. The Star Alliance member is wholly owned by the government of Ethiopia, but it’s still managed as a commercial body.
The fleet is young and modern, reaching more than 150 operating aircraft. Its largest is an Airbus A350-1000, which is a long-haul carrier that can carry between 395 and 441 passengers.
The airline has ordered several new aircraft, requesting 17 Airbus A350-900s, 20 Boeing B787-9s, and eight B777-9Xs, which are long-haul passenger carriers. Regarding medium-range passenger carriers, they have ordered 45 Boeing B737 MAX 8s, totalling 90 aircraft.
Operating in Australia
Ethiopian Airlines plans flights to Australia in two years’ time. The launch depends on the arrival of new aircraft requested by the airline, which, at least, should be two ultra-long-haul wide-body carriers.
Mesfin Tasew, the airline’s CEO, has publicly said that the launching of the new service is conditional on the receiving of the wide-bodies. Routes to Australia are some of the longest commercial routes in the world. So, the possession of aircraft capable of doing ultra-long-haul flights is necessary.
The airline will receive a B737 MAX in the next few years. However, this Boeing is a narrow-body, which makes it impossible to carry out ultra-long-haul journeys. Tasew emphasised that the implementation of the flights is directly dependent on the arrival of the aircraft.
Tasew also mentioned that the airline is targeting two main Australian destinations, but he didn’t disclose which cities they are. This plan has the possibility of solidifying Ethiopian Airlines as a major player in the aviation industry.
Have you ever flown with Ethiopian Airlines? How was your experience? Let us know your opinion in the comments.
