Etihad will start daily nonstop flights from Abu Dhabi to Addis Ababa beginning October 1, the UAE national airline announced on Wednesday, following the signing of a Joint Venture (JV) agreement with Ethiopian Airlines.

The Etihad–Ethiopian JV, signed in Addis Adaba, will enable both airlines to collaborate in developing and expanding routes between the UAE and Ethiopia. Addis Ababa marks Etihad’s 15th new destination for 2025, while Abu Dhabi becomes Ethiopian Airlines' 145th global destination.

“This partnership is designed to deliver greater value to passengers by strengthening links between Africa, the Middle East, and Asia, resulting in a more seamless and comprehensive combined network,” noted the two national airlines.

Etihad Airways CEO Antonoaldo Neves (right) and Ethiopian Airlines CEO Mesfin Tasew signing the agreement on Wednesday in Addis Adaba

Photos: Angel Tesorero

Ethiopian Airlines will commence services from Addis Ababa Bole International Airport (ADD) to Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH) on July 15, while Etihad Airways will introduce daily flights to Addis Ababa starting October 1.

Flight schedule from October 1:

Around 200,000 Ethiopians are reportedly living and working in the UAE, and Ethiopia is among the countries that the UAE wants to increase its annual exports to.

Antonoaldo Neves, CEO of Etihad Airways, said: “We are excited to extend a warm welcome to Ethiopian travelers visiting Abu Dhabi, where they can experience our renowned hospitality and immerse themselves in the rich culture of our city. From breathtaking beaches and world-class cultural landmarks to thrilling theme parks and tranquil desert landscapes, Abu Dhabi offers a diverse array of attractions for all to enjoy.”

Mesfin Tasew, Group CEO of Ethiopian Airlines, for his part, remarked: “This collaboration (with Etihad) marks a significant milestone in our efforts to enhance connectivity between Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. By leveraging our combined networks, we are committed to providing our passengers with greater travel convenience and exceptional service.”

Strengthening its global presence, the Abu Dhabi-based carrier on Monday announced its third daily Sheremetyevo Airport (SVO), increasing the service to 21 flights per week.

In addition to the Moscow frequency increase, Etihad will also start a new service to Sochi, Russia's premier resort destination on the Black Sea coast, starting May 29.

Last week, Etihad also announced a to Indonesia's popular island destination of Medan commencing on October 2.

Meanwhile, Etihad Airways is reportedly (Dh3.67 billion) initial public offering (IPO), news agency Reuters reported last month, quoting two sources.

This comes following Etihad Airways’ strong 2024 performance, including a Dh1.7-billion profit after tax. Etihad noted “the record profit was driven by Dh20.8 billion in passenger revenue and Dh4.2 billion in cargo revenue, alongside significant operational efficiency improvements.”

The national airline carried 18.5 million passengers last year, up by 32 per cent from 2023, “reflecting strong and sustained demand across its expanding network.” Last year, Etihad expanded its operations to more than 1,700 weekly flights and increased frequencies on 25 routes over the past two years. It also launched more than 20 new destinations, such as Boston, Jaipur, Bali, and Nairobi, alongside summer hotspots like Antalya, Nice, and Santorini – aside from adding 10 more cities this year.

If the stock launch pushes through, Etihad would be the second company this year to offer shares to institutional and individual investors. Etihad would also become the second UAE airline to go on public listing, nearly 20 years after Air Arabia was listed on the Dubai Financial Market in July 2007.