Bengaluru:Ethiopian Airlines starts weekly non-stop flights between Etiopian capital Addis Ababa and Bengaluru, making the tech hub its third destination in India after Mumbai and New Delhi to have direct connectivity.
"There were around 107 passengers on our first flight, the load factor is more than 80%. This shows the market is ready for us and we have made the right decision at the right time," said Tadesse Tilahun, regional director, Ethiopian Airlines told ETV Bharat.
Tadesse Tilahun, regional director, Ethiopian Airlines "The direct passenger flights to Bengaluru from Addis Ababa is part of our strategic plan to expand in India. We are one of the first entrants to serve the Indian market, having 48 years of operation out of Mumbai," he said.
The airlines will initially operate 4 non-stop flights a week from Addis Ababa on Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday to Bengaluru and from Bengaluru on Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday to Addis Ababa.
As the largest aviation group in Africa and Skytrax certified four-star global airline, Ethiopian is the first airline to give direct connection from South India to Africa.
"We have witnessed robust growth of traffic from South India to Africa and the rest of the world. Our first direct flight from Bengaluru and to Africa will give seamless connection to our guests to/from Africa and our vast network," Tilahun said.
Ethiopian operates twice-daily passenger flights to Mumbai and Delhi from Addis Ababa besides cargo service to Ahmedabad Bengaluru, Chennai, Mumbai and New Delhi.
The airline fleet includes Airbus A350, Boeing 787-8, Boeing 787-9, Boeing 777-300ER, Boeing 777-200LR, Boeing 777-200 Freighter, Bombardier Q-400 double cabin with an average fleet age of five years.
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"A robust 20 per cent annual growth over the couple of years to and from India has made us double our daily flights to Mumbai and Delhi and foray into Bengaluru to connect south India with Ethiopia, Africa and other countries through Addis Ababa," EA Chief Executive Tewolde GebreMariam told IANS.
"The passengers profile varies as each flight has a fair mix of people who are of Indian-origin or born to Indian parents living in Ethiopia and other African countries in hundreds as part of their Diaspora," pointed out the CEO.
"The airline also caters to hundreds of students from Ethiopia and other African countries studying in Bengaluru and other cities/towns in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana who are our regular fliers," pointed out the CEO.
"Though business travellers contribute to two-thirds of our traffic to and from India and one-third of them to leisure, we are pitching and promoting India, especially Bengaluru as a wellness destination and gateway to other southern cities and tourist spots, including heritage sites in all the five southern states," added GebreMariam.
With a dynamic airfare, the airline has priced a round trip between Bengaluru and Addis Ababa at Rs 55,000 with 45-40 per cent discount as initial or promotional offer and 'buy 1 ticket and get 1 ticket' festival offer for Diwali till October 31.
"We provide visa on arrival at Addis Ababa or e-visa to Ethiopia for tourists or visitors from India," added GebreMariam.
