(Above): Ethiophian Group CEO Mr Mestin Tasew (third from left) and Mr Lim Ching Kiat, Changi Airport Group’s MD of
Air Hub Development (far left) in a ceremony celebrating the re-launch at Changi Airport
THE largest carrier in Africa, Ethiopian Airline, has restarted direct flights between Singapore and Addis Ababa from 25th March 2023. The four weekly flights will be using the airline’s latest fleet of B787 Dreamliners. Many leisure and business travellers to the African continent welcome the news since the service was temporarily halted in 2020 following the COVID-19 outbreak.
The Ethiopian Group CEO, Mr Mesfin Tasew, stated that the resumption of the route will strengthen trade and investment as well as tourism connections between Singapore and Africa. He said: ” The flight will further expand our network in Asia and create air connectivity for passengers travelling between Africa and Singapore. The new flight will also facilitate trade, investment, and tourism ties between Africa and Singapore. In line with our plan for growing our network around the world, we will keep on opening new routes to enhance connectivity between Africa and the rest of the world via Addis Ababa.”
Presently there are very few direct flights between Singapore and Africa with the Singapore national carrier running non-stop routes to Johannesburg and Cape Town in South Africa. Otherwise air travellers must transfer in Europe and the Middle East, particularly on Gulf airlines such as Emirates and Qatar. Ethiopian Airlines, with its hub in Addis Ababa, serves over 60 African cities, significantly more than any of its rivals. Ethiopia is a potential hub for companies to reach surrounding countries due to its strategic location and Ethiopian Airline’s extensive network that includes countries such as Djibouti, South Sudan, Burundi, Congo and the Central African Republic.
Ethiopian Airlines is the largest carrier in Africa in terms of passenger numbers. In 2021, it transported 7.053 million passengers and is a member of the Star Alliance, a global aviation alliance whose members consist of many of the top airlines in the world.
Mr Lim Ching Kiat, CAG’s Managing Director of Air Hub Development, said, “We are thrilled to welcome Ethiopian Airlines to Changi Airport again. Ethiopian Airlines has been consistently voted as the Best Airline in Africa, and the network from its Addis Ababa hub is connected with more than 63 destinations on the African continent. This flight between Singapore and Ethiopia will offer more travel options for passengers from our region to visit Africa. For many Singaporeans, Ethiopia could also be an exciting new vacation destination as it boasts many attractions ranging from historic sites such as Axum to breathtaking natural geography such as the Simien Mountains and Blue Nile falls.
Sources include: www.corporate.ethiopianairlines.com
