ADDIS ABABA — Ethiopian Airlines is set to launch direct passenger services to Mauritius in July, marking a significant expansion of its African network and opening a long-sought air link between East Africa and one of the continent’s leading tourism and financial hubs.
The airline announced that it will begin operating three weekly flights between its main hub in Addis Ababa and Port Louis starting July 12, 2026.
Key Flight Information
- Frequency: 3 times weekly (Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays)
- Route: Addis Ababa (ADD) to Port Louis, Mauritius (MRU)
- Equipment: Boeing 737 MAX 8 (7M8)
- Flight Times:
- ET 0887: Departs ADD at 08:50 | Arrives MRU at 15:20
- ET 0886: Departs MRU at 16:15 | Arrives ADD at 20:45
Breaking a Decade-Long Market Barrier
The new service represents a major commercial breakthrough for Ethiopian Airlines, which has reportedly sought access to the Mauritian market for more than a decade. Previous attempts to secure the route faced strict resistance amid protectionist concerns for the national carrier, Air Mauritius, which has been navigating complex restructuring and fleet challenges.
Prior to this direct route, passengers traveling between the two destinations relied on longer, less convenient interline and codeshare partnerships routed through regional hubs like Johannesburg, Nairobi, and Antananarivo.
Capitalizing on the US-Africa Business Summit
The timing of the launch aligns perfectly with a spike in high-level regional travel. The service begins just weeks ahead of the 18th US-Africa Business Summit, scheduled to take place in Mauritius from July 26–29, 2026. The marquee event is expected to draw a massive influx of government officials, international investors, and policymakers, all requiring seamless transit to the island.
“We are delighted to launch this direct flight service to Mauritius, making it easier for Africans and other international tourists to visit this beautiful African island destination, while also enhancing business and trade opportunities,” said Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO Mesfin Tasew. “Expanding our African network remains one of our top priorities, in line with our vision of strengthening connectivity among African nations and linking the continent more closely with the rest of the world.”
Connecting Mauritius to a Global Network
As Africa’s largest network carrier operating more than 160 domestic and international destinations, Ethiopian Airlines provides Mauritius with an instant gateway to global markets. Travelers from the island will now have single-hub connectivity to key destinations across Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and North America via Addis Ababa.
The launch reinforces Ethiopian’s “Vision 2035” strategy, which relies heavily on a Pan-African multi-hub system—including partnerships with ASKY in Togo, Malawi Airlines, Zambia Airways, and Air Congo—to dominate intra-African aviation.
