Ethiopian Airlines has announced plans to launch flights to Australia in 2028, marking its final continental expansion.
The move depends on securing at least two wide-body aircraft capable of operating ultra-long-haul routes.
Speaking at a press briefing in Addis Ababa, the CEOof Ethiopian Airlines Mesfin Tasew confirmed that the airline’s expansion into the Asia-Pacific market hinges on adding at least two additional wide-body jets capable of ultra-long-haul operations.
“It will take at least two years to receive aircraft from manufacturers.”
“We need to secure at least two large aircraft to operate to the continent,” he stated, noting that manufacturing lead times mean such units are unlikely to be delivered before 2028.
The Addis Ababa–based carrier currently operates an extensive global network covering 172 destinations across five continents, but Africa to Australia would mark its first foray into direct service to the southern hemisphere’s major aviation market.
Read Also: Africa’s largest airline eyes Australian market to complete presence on every continent
Ethiopian Airlines has a substantial widebody order book, including Airbus A350-900s, Boeing 787-9s, and Boeing 777-9s, but deliveries have been impacted by ongoing industry-wide supply constraints.
According to fleet data, it fields a mix of A350s, 777s, and Dreamliners that form the backbone of its long-range operations.
Tasew declined to disclose which Australian cities are under consideration, saying that route decisions will be finalised once aircraft availability is confirmed.
He added that the carrier is weighing options to lease or purchase suitable jets to meet its expansion timeline.
Ethiopian Airlines – Africa’s largest airline, and a member of the Star Alliance family – has also confirmed its plans to add doored business class suites to its newer Airbus and Boeing orders.
