Ethiopian Airlines is set to resume flights between New York and Abidjan after nearly three years.
Continuing with its impressive international route expansion, Ethiopian Airlines is set to operate yet another route between New York and Côte d’Ivoire starting on May 23.
The airline will resume the flight between New York JFK international and Felix Houphouet Boigny International Airport in Côte d’Ivoire, commonly known as the Ivory Coast. This route was launched in June 2019 but was suspended in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Passengers flying from Ethiopia to New York can also board this flight as it will originate from the airline’s hub at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport.
This year, Ethiopian Airlines has been showing its prowess in the aviation industry by flying to new territories as well as destinations it served in the past. The airline has already announced plans to fly to Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson, Singapore, Jeddah, and Malta. According to the CEO Mesfin Tasew Bekele, the flag carrier plans to double its fleet over the next 12 years and expand its global network, making it one of the most incredible aviation superpowers to grace the skies.
Ethiopian Airlines flights between New York and Africa
Although flights between JFK and Abidjan were suspended nearly three years ago, the airline has sold tickets for this route for other operators. Ethiopian Airlines has strategic partnerships and codeshare agreements with major airlines like Lufthansa, Rwanda Air Express, Air Côte d’Ivoire, Air China, Air India, Singapore Airlines, and United Airlines.
The Star Alliance member has scheduled service between Addis Ababa and Abidjan and from Abidjan to Conakry, the capital city of Guinea. The resumption of the service via Abidjan, which will start with four weekly flights, corresponds with Ethiopian’s plans to fly to Atlanta. The airline already has a flight to New York, but it is via Lomé, Togo.
According to Ethiopian Airlines’ booking schedule, numerous flights are available between New York and Ivory Coast, operated by Lufthansa and ASKY Airlines. Ethiopian second hub ASKY is a multinational private airline based in Lomé. Ethiopian is a major shareholder in ASKY and has a management contract to manage and operate its services. The partnership between the two airlines has introduced new connectivity between West Africa and Ethiopia’s worldwide network.
Ethiopian Airlines contributing to the development of African Aviation
Through the extension of its network and service between Africa and major international hubs, the airline has increased trade, tourism, and the development of the aviation industry throughout the continent. In addition to route expansion, Ethiopian Airlines has been in the spotlight for reviving dormant African airlines.
Nigeria Airways, which seized operations in 2003, could make a major comeback under the Nigeria Air brand following an investment from Ethiopian Airlines. In the deal to relaunch Nigeria’s flag carrier, the Ethiopian carrier will own a 49% stake, while the Nigerian Sovereign Fund owns 46% interest, and Nigeria’s federal government will own the remaining 5%.
In Southern Africa, Ethiopian Airlines is set to revive Air Namibia. Last week, Namibian President Hage Geingob met with Ethiopian Airlines executives to explore how the East-African carrier could assist the Namibian government in reviving Namibia’s flag carrier, which was liquidated in 2021. Ethiopian Airlines CEO Mesfin Tasew and Chairman Girma Wake met the Namibian and Nigerian heads of state at the 36th African Union summit.
Ethiopian Airlines has a long-term strategy to establish multiple hubs in Africa and develop an extensive network within Africa. With new partnerships, routes, aircraft orders, and a new aviation academy, the Airline is set to be one of the world’s largest aviation groups in the next ten years.
