Ethiopian Airlines is continuing to expand its network in Africa. In spring, the Ethiopian national carrier launched services to three new African destinations departing fromAddis Ababa. The airline offers a triangular flight linking the Ethiopian capital to Kisangani and Mbuji-Mayi in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Congo. Ethiopian operates three services a week on this route, which is the only international flight to the two Congolese airports. The third new service offered by Ethiopian is Nosy Be, in Madagascar. The airline offers three flights a week via Moroni in the Comoros.
At the same time, Ethiopian is expanding its range of flights between Africa and the Americas. Since March, it has operated a direct service between Abidjan and New York Newark with three flights a week by Boeing 787, a launch followed by other routes from Addis Ababa to Buenos Aires and Chicago. For the latter, the company's CEO Tewolde GebreMariam indicated that ".Chicago fills a critical gap between one of the world's largest hubs and Africa".
Addis Ababa is increasingly establishing itself as a true air hub for the whole of Africa. A position reinforced by the Ethiopian Airlines' pan-African strategy which is increasing its investment in companies on the continent. After acquiring stakes in Togo's Asky and Malawian Airlines, the airline became a shareholder in Guinea Airlines and Chadian Airlines. Ethiopian Airlines has also signed an agreement with the Zambian government to take a 45 % stake in the new national carrier Zambia Airways, which will start flying next January. The country has been without a carrier since 1994.
Big ambitions for Air SenegalThe new national airline Air Senegal has big ambitions, aiming to become a leading airline in West Africa. In particular, it intends to benefit from new infrastructure at Blaise Diagne International Airportopened at the end of last year and is the most modern hub in West Africa. For the moment, the carrier's beginnings are rather modest. At present, the young airline has two ATR72s at its disposal, which have been operating the domestic route between Dakar and Ziguinchor, in Casamance, since May. Its website shows Nouakchott in Mauritania and Praia in Cape Verde, but no date has yet been confirmed for the launch of these services. The carrier will also be leasing two Airbus A319s and has confirmed the purchase of two Airbus A330neo long-haul aircraft. It is thus preparing to serve Paris from 24 February 2019Corsair will stop flying to Dakar at the end of January, according to the wishes of the Senegalese Civil Aviation Authority. Dakar However, Corsair will continue to land in Africa at Abidjan and Bamako, in code-share with Aigle Azur. For Air Senegal, the Paris route will mark the carrier's entry into intercontinental routes. Routes to London and Beirut are planned for 2019. |
