Ethiopian Airlines, the largest airline in Africa, has announced that it has finalised preparations to start directs flights from Addis Ababa to Sir Seretse Khama International Airport (SSKA) from June 30 this year.
Ethiopian Airlines Gaborone Area Manager, Elias Ketema said Friday in Gaborone that the eastern African airline’s fleet includes ultra-modern and environmentally friendly aircrafts such as the Boeing 787, Boeing 777-300ER, Boeing 777-200LR, Boeing 777-200LR Freighter and Bombardier Q-400 with double cabin.
Ethiopian Airlines serves over 85 destinations around the world and has announced that it has finalised preparations to start flights between Botswana and Addis Ababa, Capital city of Ethiopia, towards the end of this month. Gaborone and Capetown, South Africa will be the airline’s 50th and 51st African destinations respectively.
“We are expecting the new flights to play a critical role in the expansion of Botswana’s trade, tourism, diamond trading and investment opportunities as well as facilitating mobility and connectivity for business and leisure travellers,” Ketema told business reporters in the capital Gaborone on Friday.
The decision by Ethiopian Airlines to start this long awaited route will add efficiency to downstream industries such as tourism; investment and diamond trading that heavily depend on a robust and reliable aviation sector.
The youthful manager said the presence of the Ethiopian Airlines in Botswana will open the country to the world.
“Travelers from Gaborone will be able to enjoy seamless and convenient connectivity options, thanks to Ethiopian extensive network covering 5 continents and destinations. Our new flights connecting Addis Ababa and Gaborone will play a critical role in the expansion of trade, tourism, diamond trading and investment facilitating mobility and connectivity for businesses and leisure travelers,” he said.
Ethiopian Airways is a Pan-African global carrier voted by passengers as the Best in Africa for two years in a row by Passenger Choice Awards, 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 87 international destinations across 5 continents with over 200 daily departures.