New Air Links Between Africa and Asia

Africa and Asia

Star Alliance members Ethiopian Airlines and Singapore Airlines have announced an expanded codeshare agreement to offer customers traveling between Africa and Asia seamless connectivity across both carriers. The agreement begins June 1st and reflects the growing travel and trade links between Singapore and Ethiopia.

As part of the arrangement, Ethiopian Airlines will launch a non-stop service to Singapore from Addis Ababa on June 2nd with their 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft. Ethiopia’s 787 features 24 angled flat seats in business class in a 2-2-2 configuration. Flight ET 0638 will leave Addis just after midnight and arrive in Singapore at 1450 local time. The return ET 0639 flight will depart Singapore at 0200 and arrive back to Addis Ababa at 0620 local time. Both legs operate every day except Tuesday and Saturday.

Under the expanded agreement Ethiopian Airlines customers will be able to access multiple destinations in Australia, China, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Thailand and Vietnam with Singapore Airlines’ network. While Singapore Airlines’ customers will enjoy access to Ethiopian Airlines’ vast intra-African network including Nigeria, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Chad, Cote D’Ivoire, Kenya, Mozambique, The Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Seychelles, South Africa, Tanzania and Zimbabwe.

As Asian and African business ties grow these air links between Africa and Asia become more vital. Ethiopian has been adding more routes to Asia with Chengdu, China coming on stream in May. If you want to learn more about Ethiopia or Ethiopian Airlines check out our North Africa episode. And of course if you want to learn more about Singapore Airlines of the Lion City check out our Singapore episode.