Ethiopian Airlines deepens Nigeria footprint with 53 weekly flights

Ethiopian Airlines’ expansion in Nigeria is strengthening international connectivity, with the carrier increasing frequencies from Lagos and Kano and adding Port Harcourt to its network as it targets deeper access to one of Africa’s most important aviation markets.

The airline will raise its Lagos operation to 21 weekly flights, equivalent to as many as three services daily, while Kano will receive four additional flights, taking its weekly frequency to 11. It will also commence four weekly flights to Port Harcourt, bringing Ethiopian Airlines’ total Nigerian operations to 53 flights a week across Lagos, Abuja, Kano, Enugu and Port Harcourt.

The expansion further strengthens the airline’s presence in Nigeria at a time when airlines are seeking to capture rising demand for international travel while improving connections between African commercial centres and major global markets.

General Manager of Ethiopian Airlines in Nigeria, Firiehiwot Mekonnen, said the additional capacity reflected the airline’s confidence in the Nigerian market and its long-term economic potential.

“Nigeria remains a very important market for Ethiopian Airlines. By increasing our frequencies and adding Port Harcourt, we are giving passengers more flexibility, greater seat availability, better connectivity, and access to more attractive and competitive fares,” Mekonnen said.

The new Port Harcourt service is particularly important for the South-South region, which hosts major oil and gas operations and a significant concentration of business activity. By linking Port Harcourt directly into Ethiopian Airlines’ network through Addis Ababa, businesses and travellers in the region will gain easier access to destinations across Africa, Europe, Asia, the Middle East and the Americas.

Mekonnen said the benefits of the expansion would extend beyond passengers and the airline itself, creating additional business opportunities across the wider aviation and tourism value chain.

“Every additional flight creates economic activity. It means more business for Nigerian ground handling companies, airports, travel agencies, hotels, transport providers, catering, and other local service providers, while also creating direct and indirect employment opportunities,” she said.

The airline is also positioning the expansion as part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s inbound tourism and investment potential. Mekonnen said Ethiopian Airlines wanted its extensive network to serve as a channel not only for Nigerians travelling abroad but also for bringing international visitors into the country.

“Our objective is not only to connect Nigerians to the world, but also to bring more of the world to Nigeria. Better air connectivity can support tourism, facilitate trade and investment, and contribute to Nigeria’s wider economic growth,” she said.

The expansion comes as international air connectivity becomes increasingly important to Nigeria’s economic ambitions. Improved flight frequency can reduce travel constraints for businesses, support tourism, facilitate investor mobility and make it easier for Nigerian companies to maintain commercial relationships with markets outside the country.

For passengers, the additional frequencies also increase choice and seat availability, potentially easing pressure on fares where greater competition and capacity improve market efficiency.

The Port Harcourt operation could be particularly significant because of the city’s position as a major commercial and energy centre. Easier access to international markets can support companies involved in oil and gas, professional services, trade and tourism while improving the attractiveness of the region to international investors.

Mekonnen expressed appreciation to the Federal Government, the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, airport authorities and other stakeholders for their continued support.

She said Ethiopian Airlines was committed to ensuring that its expansion generated broader value for Nigeria through increased connectivity, tourism, business activity and employment.

“As Ethiopian Airlines grows in Nigeria, we want our growth to create value for Nigeria — through better connectivity, more tourism, more business opportunities, and more jobs. We remain committed to being a long-term aviation partner to the country,” she said.

With 53 weekly flights following the addition of Port Harcourt and higher frequencies from Lagos and Kano, Ethiopian Airlines is deepening its role in Nigeria’s international aviation market and strengthening the country’s links to a much wider global network.