Ethiopian Airlines is in expansion mode. Not just in terms of long-haul routes to Copenhagen, returning after two decades, or Addis Ababa to Atlanta. Crucially, it has boosted flights on various sub-Saharan African routes. This is primarily part of its third-wave growth, increasing connectivity, choice, and competitiveness. The Star Alliance airline has also enhanced service on routes that leave Addis Ababa at peak times, with higher frequencies and de-linked options. Here's a summary of its recent changes.

Accra grows to 11 weekly this summer

For about the past decade, Ethiopian Airlines has served Accra daily. Some 2,682 miles (4,317km) from Addis Ababa, it leaves Ethiopia at 08:40, enabling it to be fed by vast amounts of flights from across North America, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and parts of southern and eastern Africa. It arrives home at 21:00 to feed flights to those places.

This summer, Addis Ababa-Accra grows to 11 weekly. According to OAG data, this is the first time since 2009 that frequency has exceeded daily. However, unlike then, when some flights were routed via Lomé, all 11 weekly services are non-stop in both directions.

Click here for Accra-Johannesburg flights.

Stay aware: Sign up for my weekly new routes newsletter.

Accra's new flight schedule

From the end of March, its new schedule is as follows, with all times local. Notice how it is 'split,' enabling greater connectivity by focusing on particular flight waves. For example, Ethiopian's 07:30 arrival into Addis allows passengers to continue to Dubai, Guangzhou, Tel Aviv, and 20+ cities in Africa. Its 14:15 arrival means Delhi, Istanbul, Mumbai, Tel Aviv, and more are linked, along with seven in Africa.

• Addis Ababa to Accra: ET927, 01:40-04:40 (6h block time); 737 MAX 8 ← new; Mondays, Thursdays
• Addis Ababa to Accra: ET921, 08:40-11:20 (5h 40m); A350-900; daily
• Addis Ababa to Accra: ET929, 17:00-20:00 (6h); 737 MAX 8 ← new; Tuesdays, Fridays
• Accra to Addis Ababa: ET926, 05:20-14:15 (5h 55m); 737 MAX 8 ← new; Mondays, Thursdays
• Accra to Addis Ababa: ET920, 12:20-21:00 (5h 40m); A350-900; daily
• Accra to Addis Ababa: ET928, 22:35-07:30 (+1) (5h 55m); 737 MAX 8 ← new; Tuesdays, Fridays

Click here for Accra-Nairobi flights.

Discover more aviation news.

Other African changes

The following summarizes other important intra-African network changes taking effect from the end of March. There are others. Generally, the higher frequencies enable more connectivity across the vast African continent in particular. The main exception is Cape Town. To boost capacity bound to/from Europe in particular, flights will depart/arrive within 90 minutes of each other at peak times.

• Addis Ababa to Cape Town: daily to 11 weekly. All by the A350-900 (see comments above)
• Addis Ababa to Lilongwe: daily to 10 weekly and de-linked from Lubumbashi. The daily flight variously uses the 777-200LR, 787-8, and A350-900. The extra services deploy the MAX 8; flights depart at 22:10 and arrive back at 07:00 (+1)
• Addis Ababa to Lubumbashi: daily non-stop and de-linked from Lilongwe. 777-200LR, 787-8, and MAX 8 are all used
• Addis Ababa to Mombasa: double daily. By the 737-800 and MAX 8. The second daily leaves at 15:30 and arrives back at 21:10
• Addis Ababa to Nairobi: triple daily. Afternoon departure added, leaving Addis at 16:00 and returning at 21:10. 737-800 and MAX 8 deployed
• Addis Ababa to Harare: daily to 11 weekly and de-linked from Lusaka. Daily by the A350-900, extra flights by the 737-800. The new four weekly leaves at 22:00 and arrive back at 07:35 (+1)
• Addis Ababa to Lusaka: daily to 11 weekly and de-linked from Harare. Daily by the A350-900, three weekly by the 737-800, and weekly by the 737-700. The extra flights depart at 22:10 and arrive home at 07:35 (+1)

Click here for London-Cape Town flights.

Where would you like to see Ethiopian fly in Africa? Let us know in the comments.

With thanks to Sean Mendis for the heads-up.

• 

  Ethiopian Airlines

  IATA/ICAO Code:

  ET/ETH

  Airline Type:

  Full Service Carrier

  Hub(s):

  Addis Ababa Bole International Airport

  Year Founded:

  1945

  Alliance:

  Star Alliance

  CEO:

  Mesfin Tasew Bekele

  Country:

  Ethiopia