Ethiopian Airlines expands Nigerian operations with new Port Harcourt service

Ethiopian Airlines is significantly expanding its footprint in Nigeria, increasing its total operations to 53 weekly flights. The expansion includes adding four weekly services to Port Harcourt and increasing Lagos operations to 21 weekly flights, with up to three daily services. The airline has also increased its frequency to Kano to 11 flights per week, complementing existing services in Abuja and Enugu.

This expansion comes as Ethiopian Airlines captures a substantial portion of Nigeria’s outbound international market. Data from the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority indicates that while foreign carriers like Qatar Airways and Ethiopian Airlines lead in passenger volume, local Nigerian airlines account for only 6.89 percent of the international market. Ethiopian Airlines’ strategy involves a multi-point entry model that bypasses traditional bottlenecks in Lagos and Abuja, allowing passengers from various regions to connect directly to Addis Ababa.

Firiehiwot Mekonnen, General Manager of Ethiopian Airlines in Nigeria, stated that the increased capacity reflects confidence in the country’s aviation market and economic potential. The airline expects the expansion to support Nigerian tourism, trade, and employment by creating business opportunities for local service providers, including ground handling, catering, and hotels.