Ethiopian Airlines, Africa’s largest carrier, has expanded its Indian operations with the official launch of a new passenger service to Hyderabad on June 16, 2025.
The new route, which will operate three times weekly, marks the airline’s sixth destination in India and underscores its strategic commitment to enhancing intercontinental connectivity between Africa and South Asia.
The inaugural flight from Addis Ababa Bole International Airport to Hyderabad Rajiv Gandhi International Airport was flagged off in a formal ceremony attended by government officials, ambassadors, aviation stakeholders and senior executives from the airline.
The route will be operated as follows: ET 682 from Addis Ababa to Hyderabad on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays, and ET 683 from Hyderabad to Addis Ababa on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
Speaking during the launch, Mesfin Tasew, Group Chief Executive Officer of Ethiopian Airlines, described the new route as a strategic addition that supports both passenger mobility and commercial trade.
“We are pleased to commence this new passenger service to Hyderabad, the sixth destination Ethiopian operates in India. Beyond providing air transportation service, this new flight will play a pivotal role in strengthening trade and tourism ties between the two regions,” Tasew said.
The airline stated that the new service is aligned with its broader goal of expanding access between Africa and key global markets. Ethiopian Airlines currently operates more than 50 weekly flights to India across five other major cities: Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, and Chennai. With the addition of Hyderabad, the airline is positioned to serve increasing travel demand while offering seamless connections to its extensive African and global network.
The development comes as part of Ethiopian Airlines’ Vision 2035 strategy, which aims to transform the airline into one of the top 20 aviation groups in the world.
The airline continues to invest in modern aircraft, route expansion, and regional partnerships, operating more than 160 destinations globally with a fleet that includes Boeing 787s, Airbus A350s, and De Havilland Q400 aircraft.
Industry analysts view the Hyderabad launch as a strategic move to capitalise on India’s growing outbound travel market and reinforce commercial links between Africa and the Indian subcontinent.
The route is expected to benefit passengers in both regions by offering more flexible travel options and improved access to new business opportunities.
Ethiopian Airlines has earned international recognition for its operational excellence and regional leadership. The carrier is a member of the Star Alliance and has received multiple global awards, including Skytrax’s ‘Best Airline in Africa’ for seven consecutive years and APEX’s ‘Best Overall in Africa’ distinction.
The airline continues to execute its multi-hub strategy with additional operations in Togo, Malawi, Zambia, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, reinforcing its status as a pan-African leader in aviation.
With the Hyderabad launch, Ethiopian Airlines is expected to further consolidate its dominance in Africa-India air travel and contribute to stronger diplomatic, economic, and cultural relations between both regions.
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