Press Release
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: Ethiopian Airlines, the fastest growing airline in Africa, is pleased to announce the start of new flights to Berbera, the port city of Somaliland, as of July 1, 2012. Ethiopian will fly to Berbera daily using its Q400 aircraft, with three morning and four afternoon flights.
Ethiopian’s addition of Berbera to its network will bring its international destinations in Africa to 43, excluding its 17 domestic points, thus further solidifying Ethiopian’s position as the airline that provides the most convenient connection to and from Africa.
The resumption of flights to Hargeisa, the capital of Somaliland, scheduled for June 10, 2012 has been differed as renovation of runway at Hargeisa airport has not been completed. Once the renovation at Hargeisa airport is completed, Ethiopian plans to start flights immediately.
Berbera, a seaport town with the only sheltered harbor on the Southside of the Gulf of Aden, is playing an increasing role as an alternative sea trading door for the East Africa region. It is the most important city in Somaliland next to its capital city Hargeisa.
Ethiopian’s addition of Berbera to its network, in addition to strengthening trade networks in East Africa, will enable international travelers from the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Europe and the Americas a much more convenient and easy access to the Somalia Region.
About Ethiopian
Ethiopian Airlines, the fastest growing airline in Africa, made its maiden international flight to Cairo in 1946 and now the Airline provides dependable services to 65 international destinations spanning four continents.
Ethiopian is proud to be a Star Alliance Member. The Star Alliance network is the leading global airline network offering customers convenient worldwide reach and a smoother travel experience. The Star Alliance network offers more than 20,000 daily flights to 1,293 airports in 190 countries.
Ethiopian is a multi-award winner for its commitment and contributions towards the development and growth of the African aviation industry and in recognition of its distinguished long-haul operations enhanced by the introduction of new routes and products. Recently, Ethiopian won Gold in the African Airline of the Year 2011/2012 Awards organized by the African Aviation News Portal. Ethiopian also received the 2011 AFRAA award for being consistently profitable over the years and has won the “AFRICAN CARGO AIRLINE OF THE YEAR 2011 Award” for its excellence in air cargo. Ethiopian also won the NEPAD Transport Infrastructure Excellence Awards 2009 and “the Airline of the Year 2009 Award” from the African Airlines Association (AFRAA).
With its acquisition of and firm orders for several new modern fleet, the airline is well positioned to pursue aggressively the implementation of its 2025 strategic plan to become the leading aviation group in Africa.
