Ethiopian Airlines has announced a major restructuring of its US network, adding frequencies as well as shifting gateways starting this summer.
The Star Alliance member will launch a 3X-weekly Addis Ababa Bole International Airport-Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport (Texas) Boeing 787 service, which will replace its current Los Angeles route. Houston flights will be routed via West Africa.
Ethiopian said the new Houston flights will be the only connection between Houston and Africa, and will facilitate travel of the African community in the Houston area, as well as oil and other companies doing business on the continent.
Existing Addis Ababa-Washington Dulles services will be increased from current daily to 10X-weekly flights. The additional three flights will pass thru Abidjan (Ivory Cote) with service continuing on to Addis Ababa.
Addis Ababa-Chicago O’Hare flights will be increased from 3X- to 5X-weekly.
Regarding planned daily flights from the New York area to Addis Ababa, four flights will be routed via Lome (Togo) from Newark Liberty International Airport, and 3X-weekly services will be New York JFK-Abidjan-Addis Ababa.
Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO Tewolde Gebremariam said the new route structure with additional frequencies to multiple gateways and the opening of a new route to Houston “are aimed at responding to the market demand and availing the best possible connectivity to over 60 African destinations.”
Further details on start dates and schedules for the new services will be forthcoming, according to the carrier.
Source:ATW
