ADDIS ABABA — Ethiopian Airlines has inaugurated direct passenger flights between Addis Ababa and Port Louis, Mauritius, strengthening air links between mainland Africa and the Indian Ocean island nation.
The inaugural flight landed at Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport on Sunday, July 12, marking the beginning of the airline’s first nonstop service between Ethiopia and Mauritius.
The new route will operate three times a week—on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays—using a Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft.
Flight ET887 is scheduled to depart Addis Ababa at 8:50am and arrive in Mauritius at 3:20pm. The return flight, ET886, will leave Port Louis at 4:15pm and land in Addis Ababa at 8:45pm.
Ethiopian Airlines said the service would reduce travel time, improve passenger convenience and provide travellers with connections through its Addis Ababa hub to destinations across Africa and other international markets.
Before introducing the direct route, the airline served Mauritius through interline and codeshare arrangements involving regional hubs including Johannesburg, Nairobi and Antananarivo.
Speaking during the inauguration, Ethiopian Airlines Group Chief Commercial Officer Lemma Yadecha described the route as an important step towards strengthening economic and social relations between Ethiopia and Mauritius.
He said the connection was expected to promote tourism, investment, trade and business partnerships while supporting the airline’s broader goal of improving connectivity within Africa.
Mauritius’ Tourism Minister, Christian Harold Richard Duval, welcomed the service, saying it opened a new chapter in tourism, economic cooperation and people-to-people relations between African countries.
Ethiopian Airlines Group Chief Executive Officer Mesfin Tasew earlier said the route would make it easier for African and international tourists to visit Mauritius while creating additional opportunities for commerce and regional integration.
The airline said the Mauritius service forms part of its continuing strategy to connect African markets more closely with one another and provide easier access to its wider global network.
