Mauritius has secured a significant boost to its continental connectivity with the announcement that Ethiopian Airlines will commence direct services to the Indian Ocean island nation next month. Africa’s largest carrier confirmed that thrice-weekly flights between Addis Ababa and Port Louis will begin on 12 July 2026, opening unprecedented access to destinations across the African continent and beyond
The new route represents a strategic milestone for Mauritian tourism and trade ambitions. Ethiopian Airlines operates a network spanning more than 150 passenger destinations worldwide, making it one of the most extensive airline networks globally. Through the Addis Ababa hub, Mauritian travellers and visitors will gain convenient connections to major African cities including Lagos, Nairobi, Dar es Salaam, Accra, Luanda, Dakar, Douala and Kinshasa, alongside intercontinental links to the Americas, Europe and Asia.
For African travel professionals, this development carries substantial commercial implications. The service will operate using Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft, providing modern, fuel-efficient capacity on a route that previously required indirect routing for many travellers. The enhanced connectivity positions Mauritius as more accessible than ever for African business travellers, tourists and the substantial Mauritian diaspora spread across the continent.
Mauritius Tourism Minister Richard Duval welcomed the announcement, stating that the incoming service will strengthen the island’s international accessibility while providing direct stimulus to both the local tourism sector and international trade. The minister also confirmed that Spanish carriers Iberojet and World2Fly will introduce services from Madrid, further diversifying Mauritius’s source markets.
The Ethiopian Airlines launch forms part of the carrier’s ambitious Vision 2035 strategy, which aims to position the airline among the world’s top twenty most competitive aviation groups while further strengthening Africa’s air transport infrastructure. This strategic direction has seen the airline consistently expand its network, reinforcing its position as the continent’s dominant carrier.read more; source…https://travelnews.africa/news-single.html?
