Ethiopian Airlines, Africa’s leading carrier, has announced the commencement of its operations between Addis Ababa and Copenhagen, Denmark, marking its 21st destination in Europe. The new service, which started on May 20, 2023, with a layover in Vienna, strengthens Ethiopian Airlines’ network and enhances air connectivity between Europe and Africa.
The maiden flight, Flight ET 724, was operated on a Boeing 787-8 aircraft named “Mountain Nyala.” Departing from Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa at 01:00 local time, the flight arrived at Vienna Airport at 05:52 after approximately six hours of travel. After a brief stopover, the aircraft departed Vienna at 07:27 and landed at Copenhagen Airport at 08:43, adding an additional one hour and 16 minutes to the journey. This new connection represents the only scheduled passenger service linking Denmark with Sub-Saharan Africa.
The new route between Addis Ababa and Copenhagen will be active four times a week, on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. Ethiopian Airlines will offer 2,488 seats per week for booking on this route. The flights will be operated using a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, featuring a passenger capacity of 311 across two classes: 28 in Business Class and 283 in Economy.
The addition of Copenhagen as a destination expands Ethiopian Airlines’ European network to a total of 17 passenger destinations. The airline’s European network includes flights to major cities such as Stockholm, Athens, Brussels, Paris, Rome, Frankfurt, London, and Zurich, among others. Ethiopian Airlines’ extensive network in Africa also provides convenient connections to destinations like Johannesburg, Nairobi, Abidjan, and Zanzibar via this new operation.
Mr. Mesfin Tasew, CEO of Ethiopian Airlines Group, expressed his satisfaction with the new route, stating, “We are glad to open a new route to Copenhagen, Denmark, which will be our 21st destination in Europe. With the launch of the flight, Copenhagen will become a crucial gateway for Ethiopian Airlines in northern Europe and southern Scandinavia.” He further emphasized that the new flight will enhance air connectivity, facilitating trade, tourism, and diplomatic relations between Europe and Africa.
Thomas Woldbye, Chief Executive Officer of Copenhagen Airport, also welcomed the new route, highlighting the improved connection between Copenhagen and Africa. He said, “Ethiopian Airlines, who for the last 5 years have been awarded as the best airline in Africa, now will start flying to Copenhagen. The airport in Addis Ababa has grown to become one of Africa’s most important hubs, with onward connections to more than 60 different cities in Africa. Thus, this new route will be an amazing gateway to the whole continent for Copenhagen.” Woldbye added that the direct route will create new opportunities for Danish businesses, particularly in the pharmaceutical industry, thanks to the state-of-the-art facilities and pharma wing of Ethiopian Cargo and Logistics Services.
Ethiopian Airlines has a strong presence in the market segment connecting Africa and Europe. According to data sourced from Cirium via Aviacionline, the airline will offer 58,330 weekly seats to and from Europe during the summer season, making it the second highest-ranking African carrier in terms of seats per kilometer offered (ASK).
