Ethiopian Airlines expands its global footprint to link the world's high growth regions

Ethiopian Airlines will extensively expand its network in 2013, adding Asian destinations as well as increasing its footprint in Africa and linking the two high growth regions to South America.

In Africa, Ethiopian added flights to Blantyre in Malawi and Ndola in Zambia on 31-Mar-2013, increasing its African network to 45 destinations, including 16 domestic points. The carrier also has begun negotiations with the Malawi Government to take a 49% strategic stake in failed flag carrier Air Malawi after being selected as the preferred bidder among eight chosen applicants.

The Asian network will be expanded with the addition of Ho Chi Minh City, Manila and Seoul Incheon in Jun-2013 operating from Ethiopian's existing Asian hubs, Hong Kong and Bangkok. And Ethiopian will become the first African carrier to take advantage of the natural transfer traffic synergies that link the three regions, and form part of its strategy to develop its Addis Ababa base into a Dubai-style hub of Africa.