Ethiopian Strategic Partner, Malawian Airlines, Launches 1st International flight to Johannesburg

News Release – Ethiopian Airlines

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, February 21, 2014 - Ethiopian Airlines is pleased to announce that its strategic partner for the southern Africa region, Malawian Airlines, has launched its first international flight to Johannesburg on 17 February 2014.

Malawian will operate daily from Lilongwe to Johannesburg, with a stopover in Blantyre, with a brand new B737-800 with Sky Interior and a 154 seat capacity configured in two classes, Business and Economy.

As part of its strategy to set up multiple hubs in Africa in line with its 15 year strategic roadmap, Vision 2025, Ethiopian has partnered with the Malawian Government and private interests in the country to establish Malawian Airlines in Lilongwe. Ethiopian has 49% equity stake as well as the technical and management contract for the new airline. Lilongwe is now the 3rd hub of Ethiopian for Southern Africa region, after Lomé, which has been serving for the last 4 years as a hub for the West African region thru a partnership with ASKY Airlines.

“Ethiopian is first and foremost a Pan-African carrier that strongly believes that intra-African partnership is critical for the emergence of a globally competitive indigenous African airline industry. It is with this spirit that we have entered into a long term partnership in Malawi. Together, we aim to serve the public and the air travel needs in the Southern Africa region, both for regional and inter-continental travel, thru an integrated network that offers seamless and convenient connectivity options to our 79 global destinations.” said CEO Tewolde Gebremariam.

Ethiopian is a global Pan-African carrier serving 79 international destinations across 5 continents with over 200 daily flights and using the latest technology aircraft such as the B777s and B787s.

About Ethiopian
Ethiopian Airlines (Ethiopian) is the fastest growing Airline in Africa. In its operations in the past close to seven decades, Ethiopian has become one of the continent’s leading carriers, unrivalled in efficiency and operational success.

Ethiopian commands the lion share of the pan-African passenger and cargo network operating the youngest and most modern fleet to more than 78 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 aviation group in Africa with seven business centers: Ethiopian Domestic and Regional Airline; Ethiopian International Passenger Airline; Ethiopian Cargo; Ethiopian MRO; Ethiopian Aviation Academy; Ethiopian In-flight Catering Services; and Ethiopian Ground Service. Ethiopian is a multi-award winning airline registering an average growth of 25% in the past seven years.

For more information about this press release, please contact:
Manager PR & Publications
Ethiopian Airlines
Tel: (251-1) 517-84-07