Ethiopian Airlines, the largest airline in Africa, has announced the launch of a new passenger route to Porto, Portugal, set to begin on July 2, 2025. This new service, featuring one stopover in Madrid, Spain, aims to significantly improve air travel connectivity between Africa and Europe and reinforces the airline's expansion efforts on the continent.
The new route will operate four times weekly utilizing Ethiopian Airlines’ modern Boeing 787 Dreamliner, ensuring both comfort and efficiency for travelers. The flight details are as follows: Flight ET740 will leave Addis Ababa on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays at 23:10, arriving at Madrid at 05:55 the following day. After a brief layover, it will continue from Madrid at 06:55, arriving in Porto at 07:15. Conversely, Flight ET741 will depart Porto on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays at 19:55, landing at Madrid at 21:10 before returning to Addis Ababa at 23:10, arriving at 07:25 on the subsequent day.
Mr. Mesfin Tasew, the CEO of Ethiopian Airlines Group, expressed his enthusiasm about this upcoming route. He stated, "We are thrilled to expand our network to Porto, Portugal, a vibrant city with rich cultural heritage and economic significance. This new route reflects our determination to provide our customers with broader access to diverse cities around the world, all the whilst maintaining our renowned standard of service."
This expansion to Porto not only enhances Ethiopian Airlines’ regional presence but also aims to strengthen commercial, tourism, and cultural ties between Africa and Portugal, as well as Europe more broadly.
Ethiopian Airlines is currently running about 140 weekly flights to 22 destinations throughout Europe and also services eight cargo destinations within the region. The launch of this Porto route marks another significant stride for Ethiopian Airlines as it consistently aims to broaden its network and improve connectivity options for passengers.
The airline also offers services to Lisbon, Portugal’s capital, through various codeshare agreements with other major cities like London and Milan. The addition of Porto is a strategic move to increase the airline’s footprint across European skies.
With the anticipated commencement of this route, Ethiopian Airlines is set to welcome travelers eager to discover the rich history and vibrant culture of Porto. The new flights contribute to Ethiopia's growing reputation as an important hub for international air travel linking Africa to Europe and beyond.
Travelers can expect exceptional service and reliability when flying with Ethiopian Airlines, known for its commitment to high standards. This move not only opens up new travel opportunities for passengers but also reflects the airline's continued investment in improving and diversifying its service offerings.
With this new passenger service, Ethiopian Airlines reinforces its dedication to enhancing air travel links between continents, nurturing connectivity between Africa and Europe, and promoting tourism to one of Portugal's most admired cities.