Ethiopian Airlines Expands Nigeria Network With New Port Harcourt Flights

By UG Diplomat Staff Writer

ADDIS ABABA — Ethiopian Airlines will commence scheduled passenger flights to Port Harcourt, Nigeria, from December 1, 2026, expanding its network in one of Africa’s largest aviation markets.

The new service will operate four times a week on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, connecting Port Harcourt with Ethiopian Airlines’ hub in Addis Ababa.

According to the airline, Flight ET945 will depart Addis Ababa at 9:30am and arrive in Port Harcourt at 12:25pm. The return flight will leave Port Harcourt at 1:10pm and arrive in Addis Ababa at 8:30pm.

The route will be operated using Boeing 737-800 aircraft. The Port Harcourt service is scheduled to begin on December 1, 2026.

Ethiopian Airlines Group Chief Executive Officer Mesfin Tasew said the new service would strengthen the airline’s presence in Nigeria while supporting trade, tourism and business links between Nigeria, Africa and international markets.

“Port Harcourt is one of Nigeria’s leading commercial and industrial hubs,” the airline said, noting its importance as a gateway to the country’s energy sector and wider economic activity.

The addition of Port Harcourt will make it Ethiopian Airlines’ fifth destination in Nigeria, joining Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Enugu.

Ethiopian Airlines said the new connection will also give passengers in the Niger Delta access to its wider network linking Africa with Europe, Asia, the Middle East and the Americas through Addis Ababa.

Nigeria has been one of Ethiopian Airlines’ longest-served African markets. The carrier began operating to Nigeria in 1960, and has continued expanding its presence as part of its broader African network strategy.

The Port Harcourt expansion comes as Ethiopian Airlines continues to add destinations across Africa and beyond. The airline announced a new service to Nacala, Mozambique, earlier this week, while its 2026 network expansion has also included new services to Mauritius and Lyon.

The airline currently operates a network of more than 160 domestic and international passenger and cargo destinations across five continents, according to its corporate profile.