ETHIOPIA – Ethiopian Airlines, the largest aviation group in Africa, has announced the resumption of thrice weekly passenger flights to Bengaluru, India.
The airline announced the recommencement of after it halted operations for two years due to the pandemic. Ethiopian operated its first flight services to Bengaluru in October 2019.
The nonstop service between Bengaluru and Addis Ababa is being carried out using B738 aircraft as per the below schedule.
The capital of the Indian state of Karnataka, Bengaluru is dubbed ‘Silicon Valley of India’ and serves as the center of technology and innovation.
“We are glad to have resumed flights to the commercial capital of India and we will be committed in serving our customers with our high quality services. Ethiopian Airlines is a significant player in connecting India and Africa and beyond,” CEO of Ethiopian Airlines Group, Mr. Mesfin Tasew commented.
The recommencement of flights connects the important ICT hub of Bengaluru to the ever-expanding Ethiopian network in addition to our flights to the Capital New Delhi and Mumbai. The flights will also complement our existing freighter and passenger flight services to other key destinations in India.
“The addition of Bengaluru to our network is vital in meeting the demands of the fast-growing air travelers between India and Africa,” Mr. Mesfin added.
The increasing flight frequencies and number of gateways in India will facilitate trade, investment and tourism to/from the Indian sub-continent.
The flights to Bengaluru connects passengers through the airlines global hub in Addis Ababa with short connections and provides the fastest and the shortest connections between Bengaluru in southern India and more than 60 destinations in Africa.
Currently, Ethiopian operates passenger flights to Mumbai and Delhi as well as cargo service to Bangalore, Ahmedabad, Chennai, Mumbai and New Delhi.
Celebrating 75 years of excellence, Ethiopian Airlines has become the continent’s leading carrier. Operating at the forefront of aviation technology, the airline is also one of Ethiopia’s major industries, and a respected institution in Africa.
A dominant force across the Pan-African network, it currently serves 127 international and 22 domestic destinations operating the newest and youngest fleet in the region.
Ethiopian Airlines leases Dash 8-400 aircraft from TrueNoord
Meanwhile, Ethiopian Airlines has signed an eight-year sale and leaseback agreement with TrueNoord, the specialist regional aircraft lessor, for two further factory-new Dash 8-400 aircraft.
Manufactured by De Havilland of Canada, the new Dash 8-400 aircraft (MSN4626 and MSN4628) will be integrated into the fleet for immediate operation.
Funding for the aircraft was provided by TrueNoord’s revolving warehouse facility underwritten by Citibank, Société Générale and Royal Bank of Canada. Milbank represented TrueNoord and Clifford Chance represented the lenders on the financing.
Sustained delivery of commercially viable direct flights between domestic African destinations will help to spearhead economic progress across the continent and as the leading operator, Ethiopian Airlines is at the forefront of such activity.
“This latest sale and leaseback agreement is evidence of their strong credit rating and global reputation, this makes them the perfect airline partner and our relationship is open to future growth,” said Tieleman.
Liked this article? Subscribe to DealStreet Africa News, our regular email newsletter with the latest news, deals, and insights from Africa’s business, economy, and more. SUBSCRIBE HERE