Ethiopian Airlines resumed direct flights to Pakistan after a gap of almost two decades when the first flight with 110 passengers onboard landed at the Jinnah International Airport.
Africa’s largest airline, Ethiopian Airlines, has commenced four times weekly direct flights to Karachi from Addis Ababa.
On the inaugural flight, senior Ethiopian diplomats, officials, and a trade delegation including Ethiopian Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Misganu Arega, Innovation and Technology Minister Fozia Amin, and Trade Minister Kassahun Gofe.
Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah and his delegation gave them a grand welcome at the Old Terminal.
During a press conference in Karachi, the Ethiopian ambassador to Pakistan, Jemal Beker Abdula, thanked the Pakistani government for restoring air connectivity and highlighted the potential benefits of direct flights for promoting trade and tourism between Ethiopia and Pakistan.
“The launch of Ethiopian Airlines flights from Karachi to Addis Ababa was long in the making. It will open the gates for Pakistanis into Africa and Europe,” the envoy said.
“The new flight resumed after nearly two decades of interruption and is expected to connect Ethiopia to Southeast Asia” as Ethiopia and Pakistan have been working to “strengthen their bilateral relations to boost trade and investment ties,” the Ethiopian foreign ministry said.
Following the inauguration of the flight, Ethiopian Minister Misganu Arega will attend the opening ceremony of the Ethiopian Embassy in Islamabad.
Flights to boost Trade and Tourism
“The Ethiopian Airlines was one of the instruments to connect the two countries that have enjoyed cordial relations for many years, establish people to people, institutional and business linkages,” Jemal Beker told journalists.
The resumption of direct flights is expected to boost economic ties between the two countries, as Pakistan is an important market for Ethiopian exports, including coffee, livestock, and vegetables. In addition, the direct flights will facilitate people-to-people contacts, allowing for greater cultural exchanges and tourism opportunities.
Ethiopian Airlines had previously served Karachi twice, from 1966 to 1971 and again from June 1993 to July 2004. Currently, the airline flies to more than 150 domestic and international destinations across five continents.
