Ethiopian Airlines has officially launched a second flight frequency to Abuja, marking a significant expansion of its operations in Nigeria and reinforcing a partnership that spans 65 years.
The airline announced the new service at a ceremony in Abuja, describing the development as a milestone in its long-standing relationship with Africa’s most populous nation.
Speaking at the event, Area Manager for Ethiopian Airlines Nigeria, Firiehewot Mekonnen, said the new frequency represents more than an additional flight, it reflects deeper cooperation and shared progress between Ethiopia and Nigeria.
Mekonnen described the launch as personally meaningful, recalling that her professional journey with the airline in Nigeria began in Abuja. “To return now to welcome a new flight into Abuja is both nostalgic and fulfilling—a reflection of growth, progress, and enduring partnership she said.
Ethiopian Airlines began operations in Nigeria in 1960, shortly after Nigeria’s independence, becoming one of the first international carriers to serve the country.
Since then, the airline has expanded its Nigerian network to Lagos, Abuja, Enugu, and Kano, transporting millions of passengers with what Mekonnen described as “pride, safety, and excellence”.
The new Abuja service, which commenced on 28 October 2025, introduced three additional weekly evening flights, complementing the existing daily midday flight. The new outbound flight, ET 957, departs Abuja at 10:00 p.m. and arrives in Addis Ababa at 5:00 a.m., offering faster connections to key destinations across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, including Dubai, Tel Aviv, São Paulo, Johannesburg, and Nairobi.
With the expansion, Ethiopian Airlines now operates 34 weekly flights to and from Nigeria, consisting of:
- Lagos: 14 weekly flights (twice daily)
- Abuja: 10 weekly flights (7 midday + 3 evening)
- Enugu: three weekly flights
- Kano: seven weekly flights
This makes Ethiopian Airlines the largest international carrier operating in Nigeria.
Mekonnen emphasised the strategic importance of Abuja, describing it as a rapidly emerging hub for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE).
She said the additional frequency is designed to support the city’s growth as a gateway for global business, tourism, and diplomacy, positioning Abuja as the “Conference Capital of Africa”.
The ET Area Manager, Nigeria credited the airline’s growth in Nigeria to mutual trust and strong bilateral ties, noting that Ethiopian Airlines connects Nigerian travellers to more than 150 global destinations through its Addis Ababa hub using one of the world’s youngest fleets, including the Airbus A350-1000 and Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
She expressed gratitude to the Nigerian government, the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, aviation stakeholders, travel partners, and loyal passengers for their continued support.
“Our continued growth in Nigeria reflects not only our commercial success but also our unwavering belief in the Nigerian market, its people, and its future”, she said. “Together, let us continue flying—connecting Africa, connecting the world, and connecting hearts”.
The ceremony ended with a call to further strengthen the long-standing partnership between Ethiopian Airlines and Nigeria as the airline continues to expand its footprint across the region.