Abu Dhabi, UAE – Etihad Airways on the 9th of October 2025, launched a daily direct service between Abu Dhabi (AUH) and Addis Ababa (ADD), marking a major step in its growing footprint across Africa.
The inaugural flights were fully booked in both directions, demonstrating strong demand.
This service is part of a new Joint Venture with Ethiopian Airlines, positioning both carriers for coordinated expansion across continents.
With this new JV, Ethiopian Airlines will also have daily flights to and from Addis and Abu Dhabi. In total, there will be 2 daily services being offered by both airlines.
Flight schedule using Etihad Airways
| Direction | Flight Number | Departure | Arrival | Frequency | Aircraft |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AUH → ADD | EY 0727 | 09:00 | 12:35 | Daily | A320 |
| ADD → AUH | EY 0728 | 13:55 | 19:15 | Daily | A320 |
Flight schedule using Ethiopian Airlines
| Direction | Flight Number | Departure | Arrival | Frequency | Aircraft |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AUH → ADD | ET 615 | 04:25 | 07:45 | Daily | B737-8 |
| ADD → AUH | ET 614 | 21:50 | 03:10 (+1) | Daily | B737-8 |
What This Means for Etihad Airways & Ethiopian Airlines
- Etihad’s expansion in Africa continues: The new route adds to recent launches (e.g., Krabi) and underlines how Etihad is broadening its network across Africa and Asia. Etihad is also making additional flights to Nairobi, growing to 14 weekly flights by December 2025
- Driving inbound tourism & curiosity: The new flights make it easier for travelers to visit the UAE, explore Abu Dhabi’s attractions, and experience Emirati culture.
Related: Abu Dhabi Launches Free Digital Pass for Etihad Passengers, Offering Citywide Perks - Strategic positioning for the UAE: With growing routes into Africa, the country strengthens its standing as a regional aviation hub. Emirates is also driving a lot of traffic to Dubai through its DXB hub.
- Competitive pressure in aviation: Gulf states are aggressively growing their networks by offering more affordable flights and easy-to-get transit visas to lure passengers to their hubs over direct routes.
Related: The UAE Transit Visa – How to Apply & How Much Each Visa Type Costs - Ethiopian’s elevated role: The JV with Etihad bolsters Ethiopian Airlines’ position as a leading African carrier, opening more cross-continental doors and route synergies.
