ADDIS ABABA: Ethiopian Airlines, the largest network operating carrier in Africa, has
finalized preparations to launch direct flights (on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays
and Saturdays) to Karachi, Pakistan from May 1.
Ethiopian first served Karachi from July 1966 to December 1971, and resumed the
service from June 1993 until July 2004.
Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO Mesfin Tasew said: “We are excited to return to Karachi
nearly two decades after we last served the city. As the most populous city in Pakistan,
Karachi will be a crucial gateway to Pakistan and the wider South Asia region.
“As the only flight connecting Pakistan with Africa, the planned service to Karachi will
have significant contribution in strengthening the diplomatic and economic relations
between the two regions. It will also offer convenient air connectivity to the growing
number of Pakistani investors in Africa as well as tourists.”
Karachi will be the 37th destination of Ethiopian Airlines in Asia. Currently, Ethiopian is
serving more than 145 domestic and international passenger and cargo destinations.
Earlier, Ambassador of Ethiopia Jemal Beker Abdula had informed the Foreign Minister
of Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari about the groundwork completed by both governments for the
opening of direct flights between Pakistan and Ethiopia.
