Milan to Join Ethiopian Network in Europe - 12 May, 2011

This Summer Ethiopian Airlines is boosting its worldwide network to 62 destinations with the addition of new services to Milan. The new flights will start as of July 2011 with five weekly services on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday. This will give our customers new access to the Italian capital of fashion, industries and contemporary art.

Milan will become Ethiopian’s second destination in Italy and seventh in Europe. Italy has been part of Ethiopian network since 1964 when we began services from Addis Ababa to Rome. Currently, Ethiopian operates 42 weekly flights to Europe with daily flights to Rome, and Stockholm, six weekly flights to Paris, Brussels and London as well as five weekly services to Frankfurt.

“Milan is an attractive business center to the world and we are delighted to introduce a new route between Africa and Europe. Our services to Milan will create new market opportunities for Ethiopian Airlines while providing better access and service to Northern Italy travelers wishing to venture into Africa.” said Gobena Mikael, Senior Vice President Global Sales and Chief Commercial Officer.

Ethiopian Airlines will use the new route to serve business, religious and leisure travelers from Milan and from Northern Italy to Africa, the Middle East, the Far East and vise versa via its strategic hub at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport.

About Ethiopian

Ethiopian Airlines, one of the largest and fastest growing airlines in Africa, made its maiden flight to Cairo in 1946. With the addition of new flight services to Hangzhou, and Milan, Ethiopian will provide dependable services to 62 international destinations spanning four continents.

Recently, Ethiopian won the 2011 "African Cargo Airline of the Year" Award for its excellence in air cargo and “Deal of the Year 2010” Award for the package deal the airline won to finance its Boeing 777-200 LRs. Ethiopian won the NEPAD Transport Infrastructure Excellence Awards 2009 and the 2009 "Airline of the Year" award from the African Airlines Association (AFRAA). In August, 2008, Ethiopian won "the 2008 Corporate Achievement Award" of Aviation & Allied Business for setting the pace towards the development and growth of the African aviation industry. Ethiopian is also the first African carrier to win the 2008 Brussels Airport Company Award in recognition of its distinguished long haul operations witnessed through the introduction of new routes, new products, and close cooperation with Brussels Airport in marketing activities.