Bold claim: Ethiopian Airlines is officially aiming to fly nonstop to Australia by 2028, signaling a major expansion after years of anticipation and speculation. But here's where it gets controversial: the timeline hinges on securing long-range aircraft and timely deliveries, which could shift the date if supply or demand changes.
Ethiopian Airlines CEO Mesfin Tasew shared the plan during a press briefing in Addis Ababa. He indicated that flights to Australia are likely to commence in 2028, with the airline potentially either renting or purchasing aircraft to support the new route, as a larger fleet is expected to arrive after that year.
However, Tasew warned that the schedule depends heavily on obtaining suitable long-range models, specifically the Airbus A350-900 or the Boeing 787-9, to cover the extensive distance. He stressed the need to secure at least two large aircraft to operate the route and noted that it would take a minimum of two years to receive aircraft from manufacturers.
Ethiopian Airlines already operates an extensive network across more than 145 international destinations spanning Africa, Europe, Asia, and North America, with ongoing orders to expand its fleet further. The airline’s plan includes nine additional Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners and six Airbus A350-900s, both of which are capable of direct flights to Perth, Sydney, or Melbourne.
Two Australian cities have been shortlisted for the 2028 launch, though the airline has not disclosed the cities. In a previous statement, Telila Deressa Gutema, Ethiopian Airlines’ Regional Manager for the Singapore region, confirmed discussions with both Sydney and Melbourne airports as part of advancing the Australian expansion strategy.
As Africa’s largest airline and a member of Star Alliance, Ethiopian Airlines also announced that its newer orders will feature premium, door-to-door business class suites. The A350s are expected to feature the Collins Aerospace Elevation seating, a layout recently seen on Malaysia Airlines’ A330neo, while the 787-9 Dreamliners will showcase Elevate Aircraft Seating’s Ascent model.
More details are expected as the plan progresses, including the final route cities, fleet rollout timing, and cabin configurations.
Would you welcome non-stop service to Australia from Addis Ababa, and which Australian city should Ethiopian prioritize if you could decide?
