Ethiopian to Resume Flights to Hargeisa - 23 May, 2012

Ethiopian Airlines, the fastest growing airline in Africa, is pleased to announce the resumption of its flights to Hargeisa in Somaliland as of 10 June 2012. Ethiopian will operate daily flights to Hargeisa using its Q400 aircraft, with three morning and four afternoon flights.

Hargeisa is the second largest city in Somalia and the capital city of Somaliland, a self – declared republic that is internationally recognized as an autonomous region of Somalia.

Since, the suspension of Ethiopian Airlines flights to Hargeisa in November 2008, travelers between Addis Ababa and Hargeisa have been using bus services operating from Addis Ababa to Jijiga and from Jijiga to Hargeisa. The resumption of air links between Addis Ababa and Hargeisa, in addition to strengthening the trade and people-to-people ties, will enable international travelers from the Middle East, Africa, Europe and the Americas a much more convenient and easy access to Somalia.

About Ethiopian

Ethiopian Airlines, the fastest growing airline in Africa, made its maiden international flight to Cairo in 1946 and now the Airline provides dependable services to 65 international destinations spanning four continents.

Ethiopian is proud to be a Star Alliance Member. The Star Alliance network is the leading global airline network offering customers convenient worldwide reach and a smoother travel experience. The Star Alliance network offers more than 20,000 daily flights to 1,293 airports in 190 countries.

Ethiopian is a multi-award winner for its commitment and contributions towards the development and growth of the African aviation industry and in recognition of its distinguished long-haul operations enhanced by the introduction of new routes and products. Recently, Ethiopian won gold in the African Airline of the Year 2011/2012 Awards organized by the African Aviation News Portal. Ethiopian also received the 2011 AFRAA award for being consistently profitable over the years and has won the "AFRICAN CARGO AIRLINE OF THE YEAR 2011 Award” for its excellence in air cargo. Ethiopian also won the NEPAD Transport Infrastructure Excellence Awards 2009 and "the Airline of the Year 2009 Award" from the African Airlines Association (AFRAA).

With its acquisition of and firm orders for several new modern fleet, the airline is well positioned to pursue aggressively the implementation of its 2025 strategic plan to become the leading aviation group in Africa