Ethiopian Airlines to Start flights to Tokyo

Press Release

The Only Air Service between Japan and Africa

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – Ethiopian Airlines, the largest airline in Africa, is pleased to announce that it has finalized preparations to start new services to Tokyo Narita International Airport in April 20, 2015, in codeshare partnership with fellow Star Alliance member, All Nippon Airways, Japan’s leading airline.

The thrice weekly flight, the only direct connection between Africa and Japan, will be operated through Hong Kong with the ultra-modern Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft, which offers customers the best on-board comfort with the biggest windows in the sky, high ceiling , less noise than any aircraft with less carbon footprint, and higher cabin humidity ideal for long haul travel.

The flight schedule in local times is as follows:

Chief Executive Officer of Ethiopian Airlines Group, Ato Tewolde Gebremariam, said: “As the only direct service between Africa and Japan, our flights to Narita will give our customers the best possible connectivity options and will be critical role in enabling greater people-to-people, investment, trade and tourism ties between a rising Africa, the second fastest growing region in the world, and a highly industrialized Japan, the third largest economy in the world.”

Tokyo is one of the world’s most populous metropolis and serves as Japan’s political, economic and cultural hub. Japan is the world’s third largest economy and one of the main financial and economic centers with growing investment, trade and tourism ties with Africa. Ethiopian flights to Tokyo will enable the strengthening of investment, trade, tourism and people-to-people ties between Africa and Japan.

Ethiopian is a Pan-African global carrier voted by Passenger Choice Awards as the Best in Africa for two consecutive years, in the most comprehensive survey in the industry. The airline operates the youngest fleet in the continent with an average of less than 7 years and currently serves 84 international destinations across 5 continents with over 200 daily departures.

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.

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

Follow us on:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ethiopianairlines
Twitter: www.twitter.com/flyethiopian
YouTube: www.youtube.com/flyethiopian