Ethiopian Airlines second daily flight to Lagos move to open country for business-Perm Sec

….Airline unfolds plans to support tourism in Nigeria

Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Dr. Ibrahim Kana, said the second daily flight frequency, given to Africa’s most profitable airline, Ethiopian Airways, to Lagos from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, bringing the airline’s frequency to 14 weekly flights, shows the country’s preparedness to open itself to business.

Kana who received the B737Max aircraft that touched down at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos at about 7.30 p on Tuesday said the government did not hesitate to grant the request of the carrier when it approached it for a second daily flight to Lagos, adding that the major concern was the desire to make Lagos a hub of aviation in Africa.

He lauded the carrier for its assistance to the country during the difficult Covid period, as the airline helped to ferry medical equipment during the lockdown, coupled with the role the airline played when the Abuja airport was closed to traffic for about six weeks in December 2016 for the rehabilitation of the runway.

When all the airlines refused to operate to Kaduna as an alternate airport to Abuja, only Ethiopian Airlines continued flight operations. It reduced the pain of many travellers from all over the world who travelled to the country via Ethiopian Airlines.

The Permanent Secretary said, “We welcome any airline that wants to fly to Nigeria. Our airports are open to any airline that wants to fly to Nigeria. We see Ethiopian Airlines as part of Nigeria, and we will grant them approval anytime they ask for approval on any route. We are making sure that Lagos becomes a hub. We can only ask for more”.

The aircraft was received with the traditional water cannon; a ritual done whenever an airline begins operations to a destination or when an airline adds to its existing frequencies.

The aeroplane departed Lagos for Addis with a full load of 147 passengers in Economy and 8 in Business Class, while the arriving flight from Addis Ababa arrived with 114 passengers in Economy and one passenger in Business Class.

Area Manager of Ethiopian Airlines in Nigeria, Firiehiwot Mekonnen told reporters that the full load shows Nigerians’ love and support for Ethiopian Airlines, noting that Ethiopian Airlines has been serving Nigeria since independence in 1960, which marks the airline’s uninterrupted and committed operation to Nigeria 65 years in November 2025, with plans to celebrate the milestone.

She said, “We have always been here through thick and thin, through good and bad. Even when other airlines stayed away, we sacrificed to stand side by side with Nigeria, which happened, for example, when Abuja Airport was closed for repairs; it was only Ethiopian Airlines that flew to Kaduna Airport.”

“Ethiopian Airlines is the first African airline to introduce the first B787 Dreamliner to Africa, the first to fly A350 in Africa and recently the first A350-1000 in Africa, specifically to Nigeria as part of our commitment to always give Nigeria the best. With this flight, Ethiopian Airlines is further dedicating itself to serving Nigerians with more flexibility and affordable flight options “.

This additional flight brings Ethiopian Airlines frequency in Nigeria to 31 weekly flights from all stations, Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Enugu and 14 weekly flights to/from Lagos with early morning, mid-day and evening departures, which makes Ethiopian Airlines the most preferred by passengers for its flexible and convenient options.

She further stated that with this second daily flight, passengers can connect all of its 66 African destinations within 12 hours of flight time, stressing that there will be no need for layovers as there are instant connections available to Asia, Middle East, India, and Africa and to the rest of 150 global destinations.

“We expect that our passengers will take advantage of this second frequency and the opportunity it offers to them. With this, Ethiopian Airlines is willing and able to partner and support travel and tourism in Nigeria”.

Mekonnen unfolded her airline’s plans for some major tourism events in Nigeria, saying they have offered to support inbound and outbound tourism in Nigeria.

“In the coming months, Ethiopian Airlines will unfold its plan to support tourism in Nigeria with the recent success of Detty December, Carnival Calabar, Ojude Oba, and Durbar Festivals in Nigeria.”

She expressed the airline’s gratitude to the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo and the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) for giving them the opportunity to serve Nigeria better.

Wole Shadare