Ethiopian Airlines, the flag carrier of Ethiopia, has announced the launch of a new service to London-Gatwick, the second-largest airport in the UK. The service will operate every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday, starting from this winter.
The media consultant of the airline in Nigeria said that the new service was part of Ethiopian Airlines’ commitment to serve the UK market, which has a 50-year-long relationship with the Ethiopian Government.
Mr. Mesfin Tasew, the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of Ethiopian Airlines, said that the airline was proud of its Heathrow services and was eager to add Gatwick to its extensive global network.
He said: “We are excited to extend our reach to Gatwick and offer our award-winning services. We have a history of serving Gatwick in 2005 and 2006 with the Boeing 757.
“Now we will use the most modern Airbus A350- 900 aircraft for this route. We have built strong partnerships with over 100 UK-based companies in the aviation sector over the years. Our growth in the UK will help us to enhance this cooperation and partnership to a higher level.”
The new service by Ethiopian Airlines will provide a direct flight between London-Gatwick and Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, with Business Class and Economy Class cabins. The service will also offer seamless connectivity to Ethiopian Airlines’ vast global networks across Africa, Far East, the Americas and Asia.
Mr. Henock Woubishet, Area Manager UK & Ireland, said that the UK was a vital and strong market for Ethiopian Airlines.
He said that adding London-Gatwick to its UK schedule was great news as it would provide more capacity for both passengers and cargo services carried in the belly hold.
He added: “Ethiopian Airlines will now serve London Heathrow, Gatwick, and Manchester Airports.”
Stephanie Wear, VP of Aviation Development, at London Gatwick, said that the airport management was happy to welcome Ethiopian Airlines back to London Gatwick this winter.
She described the addition as an excellent one, as Ethiopian Airlines was the largest carrier in Africa and would offer a valuable, direct connection to Eastern Africa.
She said: “Ethiopian Airlines is among the latest carriers that want to operate long-haul routes from Gatwick, which shows the high demand for slots at our airport.
“It is also wonderful news for passengers across London and the South East to have more choices and direct services to Addis Ababa, as well as more opportunities for onward connections across Africa, Asia and the Middle East.”
The service will complement Ethiopian Airlines’ daily non-stop A350 flights from T2 London Heathrow to Addis Ababa and five weekly A350 services from T2 Manchester to Addis Ababa. The service will connect passengers to more than 60 African destinations across East, South, Central and West Africa and destinations in Far East & Asia.
