Tap and Ethiopian enter into Code-share Agreement - 15 April, 2015

TAP, Portugal’s leading airline and Ethiopian Airlines, the largest African airline, both Members of Star Alliance, have signed a code-share agreement and will be soon introducing code-share services between Portugal and Ethiopia. These flights will be made available for bookings through both carriers own websites – at www.flytap.com and www.flyethiopian.com - as well as via the worldwide reservations systems, as soon as all required regulatory approvals are completed.

The code-share agreement will include services operated and marketed by both carriers via connecting flights to African and European destinations. With this agreement, the two airlines will combine the strength of their respective networks in Europe and in Africa to offer customers convenient and seamless connectivity options when travelling between Portugal and Ethiopia as well as access to Ethiopian and TAP’s operated flights with diverse and improved service options. As Star Alliance carriers, frequent flyer program members of the two airlines are already earning and redeeming miles on each other’s flights.

Additionally, Ethiopian and TAP have reciprocal frequent flyer benefits, including lounge access. In order to offer their customers a wide range of service options, both in terms of gateways and destinations, Ethiopian and TAP pledge to continue looking at future possibilities to further extend the scope of their code-share. CEO of Ethiopian Airlines Group, Tewolde Gebremariam, said: “We are very happy to enter into codeshare agreement with TAP, the leading airline in Portugal and fellow Star Alliance member. Our customers traveling between Africa and Europe can now look forward to an even wider and more convenient connectivity options.

With a view to give our customers the best possible connectivity options, we are continuously expanding our own network, which now covers 85 international destinations across 5 continents, and extending our market reach to points where we do not fly thru agreements with fellow Star carriers.” "It is with great pleasure that TAP announces the new code-share partnership with fellow Star Alliance member Ethiopian Airlines. The addition of seamless services between Portugal and Ethiopia, via selected intermediary points, will certainly add convenience and benefits to the travelling public, who will now be able to access East Africa, via our new partner’s extensive local and regional network and optimized connections between both carriers.

In code-share with Ethiopian Airlines, TAP is thrilled to be able to offer customers its 15th African destination – Addis Ababa",said Fernando Pinto,TAP CEO. Ethiopian is a global Pan-African carrier currently serving 49 African and a total of 84 international destinations across 5 continents using the latest technology aircraft such as the B777s and B787s. About TAP Portugal TAP is Portugal’s leading airline, and member of Star Alliance, the global airline alliance to offer customers worldwide reach, since 2005. In operation since 1945, TAP celebrated 70 years on March 14, 2015. Its hub in Lisbon is a key European gateway at the crossroads of Africa, North, Central and South America, where TAP stands out as the international leading carrier in operation to Brazil.

The company’s network currently comprises 82 destinations in 35 countries worldwide. TAP currently operates about 2,500 weekly flights in average on a modern fleet of 61 Airbus aircraft, to which add some 16 aircraft operating in PGA colours, TAP regional carrier, thus adding up to a 77 aircraft fleet in the whole. In the pursuit of its customer focused policy, TAP continuously strives to deliver safe, reliable and upgraded products & services, tailored to meet customers’ expectations. Retaining the Portuguese character of the Company’s brand and quality service as the basic concept has been the main driver of TAP strategy in most recent years.

Recognized and awarded as the Europe’s Leading Airline to Africa as well as Europe’s Leading Airline to South America by the World Travel Awards in 2014, the company was also awarded as the WTA World’s Leading Airline to Africa in 2011 and 2012 and the WTA World’s Leading Airline to South America in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012. Voted Best Airline in Europe in 2011, 2012 and 2013 by the Global Traveler, USA, the company was also honored by UNESCO and by the International Union of Geological Sciences with the IYPE "Planet Earth Award 2010", in the category of “Most Innovative Sustainable Product". TAP was also voted Best Airline by Condé Nast Traveller Magazine in 2010 and Best Portuguese Tourism Company by the specialized magazine Marketeer, in 2011.

For further information, please go to www.flytap.com About Ethiopian Ethiopian Airlines (Ethiopian) is the fastest growing and most profitable airline in Africa. In 2014, IATA ranked Ethiopian as the largest airline in Africa in revenue and profit.

In its operations in the past close to seven decades, Ethiopian has been a pioneer of African aviation as an aircraft technology leader providing the first jet service in the continent in 1962, and availing the first African B767 in 1984, the first African B777-200LR in 2010 and the first African and second only to Japan B787 Dreamliner in 2012. Ethiopian commands the lion share of the pan-African passenger and cargo network operating the youngest and most modern fleet to more than 83 international destinations across five continents. Ethiopian fleet includes ultra-modern and environmentally friendly aircraft such as the Boeing 787, Boeing 777-300ER, Boeing 777-200LR, Boeing 777-200LR Freighter and Bombardier Q-400 with double cabin.

In fact, Ethiopian is the first airline in Africa to own and operate these aircraft. Ethiopian is currently implementing a 15-year strategic plan called Vision 2025 that will see it become the leading airline group in Africa with seven strategic business units: Ethiopian International Passenger Service; Ethiopian Regional Service; Ethiopian Cargo; Ethiopian MRO; Ethiopian Aviation Academy; Ethiopian In-flight Catering Service and Ethiopian Ground Service. Ethiopian is a multi-award winning, including SKYTRAX and Passenger Choice Awards in 2013 and has been registering an average growth of 25% per annum in the past seven years.