These Are Ethiopian Airlines’ Highest Capacity Routes

Ethiopian Airlines is the country’s flag carrier and has operated since 1946. The airline is integral to the Ethiopian economy, transporting passengers throughout Africa and to international destinations.

Ethiopian Airlines currently flies to more than 150 passenger destinations, 22 of which are domestic. It is a member of the Star Alliance and has codeshare agreements with 31 other airlines, which allows its passengers to fly to destinations not served by the airline.

Of the many routes it operates, only flights to 10 destinations break the 15,000 monthly seat mark, many of which are regional flights. These ten destinations generate over 3,659 flights, 424,320 seats, and 415 million available seat miles (ASM).

Here’s an analysis of the highest-capacity routes that Ethiopian Airlines has to offer. Cirium, an aviation analytics company, provides the data for June 2024.

1

Bahir Dar Airport (BJR)

The airport serves the Amhara Region of Ethiopia

The flights from Addis Ababa to Bahir Dar Airport and back are the highest capacity flights on Ethiopian Airlines’ roster. The 204-mile flight is operated using the Bombardier Q400 turboprop aircraft.

The airline flies the route 450 times from ADD to BJR and 449 times on the return trip. The Q400 allows for 78 seats, which allows the airline to offer 70,122 seats and 14,3 million ASMs on the flights to and from BJR.

Photo: De Havilland Canada

2

Dubai International Airport (DXB)

The Middle Eastern destination is a gateway to many other countries.

The highest-capacity international flight on the Ethiopian Airlines roster is to Dubai International Airport. For June, the route provided the airline with 67,276 seats and 105 million ASMs.

The destination is popular because it is Ethopia’s gateway to many other destinations, especially for codesharing and connecting flights.

Photo: Suparat Chairatprasert | Shutterstock

3

Alula Aba Nega Airport (MQX)

MQX serves the Tigray Region of Ethiopia.

Third on the list is another regional route, from Addis Ababa to Mekelle, the Tigray Region’s capital city, in Northern Ethiopia. The airline operates the Q400 for this route, which is only 313 miles long. It operates 300 flights each way, averaging 10 per day.

The route offers the airline 47,420 seats and 14.84 million ASMs.

4

O. R. Tambo International Airport (JNB)

South Africa is one of the airline’s most popular destinations.

South Africa is a massive hub for tourism and commerce within Africa, so it’s not surprising that Ethiopian Airlines operates multiple flights there. The airline uses the Boeing 737NG and MAX as well as the Airbus A350-900 for this route.

It operates three daily flights with an average of 241.6 seats per departure, which allows it to provide passengers with 43,486 seats and 109 million ASMs for June.

Photo: Peter Bueno | Shutterstock

5

Dire Dawa International Airport (DIR)

Another important regional route for the Ethiopian people.

Ethiopia has a massive landmass and is the most populated landlocked country. As a result, air travel has become a preferred method of transportation for those who travel long distances.

Dire Dawa is located in eastern Ethiopia. The airline offers 540 monthly flights, averaging 18 daily. This route has 42,120 seats and 8.97 million ASMs.

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6

Gondar Airport (GDQ)

The most popular flight to northern Ethiopia.

GDQ is the main airport serving northern Ethiopia, so it gets a lot of traffic to and from ADD. The airline uses the Q400 on the route and operates eight daily return flights.

The airport is just 260 miles away from ADD. However, the route produces 9.77 million ASMs because the airline operates 480 flights back and forth, with 78 seats per flight, which amounts to 37,604 seats.

Photo: De Havilland Canada
 

7

Gerad Wilwal Airport (JIJ)

Regional gateway to the Somali region.

JIJ is the main airport for the Somali region in eastern Ethiopia. It is the last regional flight on the list. Ethiopian Airlines also operates the Q400 on this route, as the airport is only 274 miles from ADD.

In June, the route offered 37,592 seats and 10.3 million ASMs. The airline operates 240 flights in each direction along the route, averaging eight flights daily.

Photo: Croatorum | Shutterstock

8

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (BOM)

It is one of two popular routes for Ethiopian Airlines in the Indian subcontinent.

India is a surprising addition to the list. However, Ethiopia is a popular tourist destination for Indians; more than 13 million visit the country yearly. On the other hand, India is a hub for health tourism for Ethiopians.

As a result, the route to Mumbai, one of India’s most populated cities, is a top earner for Ethiopian Airlines. The airline operates the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner twice daily on the 2,384-mile route, which gives it a seating capacity of 270 per departure. For June, it amounts to a combined 32,400 seats and 77.2 million ASMs.

Photo: eka.viation | Shutterstock

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9

Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO)

The neighboring countries have a long history of cooperation.

Ethiopia and its neighbor Kenya have frequent travel between them, including tourism and business travel. NBO serves as the main hub airport for Kenya’s capital, from which passengers can travel to other areas.

As a result, it is one of the most important intercontinental routes for Ethiopian Airlines. The relatively short 260-mile flight uses the 777-300ER and 737 MAX 8. The airline operates twice-daily flights, once per day, with each type. It offers an average of 260 seats per departure, 31,200 seats, and 22.4 million ASMs along the route, back and forth.

Photo: Boeing

10

Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL)

Another popular destination for health tourism.

The last entry on the list, Delhi, is the only destination without 15,000 seats on the return flight. It is another popular destination for health tourism for the Ethiopian people.

Ethiopian Airlines operates the Boeing 737 MAX 8 twice daily on this 2,829-mile flight, which provides the airline with 15,100 seats and 42.7 million ASMs.