Ethiopian Airlines is resuming its daily passenger flights to Durban on December 11, offering a new direct connection between South Africa’s port city and its Addis Ababa hub. The route was previously suspended in 2017 due to seasonal demand pressures.
This development marks Durban’s third destination in South Africa for Ethiopian Airlines, joining Johannesburg and Cape Town. The airline’s CEO, Mesfin Tasew, emphasized the company's commitment to improving regional connectivity and facilitating trade, tourism, and business links across Africa and beyond.
The flights will be operated by a Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, connecting King Shaka International Airport directly with Addis Ababa. The announcement was welcomed by Durban’s eThekwini Municipality, which highlighted that expanding air links is vital for attracting foreign investment and boosting tourism in the region.
Ethiopian Airlines has a longstanding presence in South Africa, having operated flights to Johannesburg since 1993 and Cape Town since 2015. The airline’s extensive network spans over 160 destinations across five continents, utilizing a fleet that includes Boeing 737s, 777s, 787s, Airbus A350s, and De Havilland Dash 8 aircraft.
