Ethiopian Airlines Group, Africa’s largest network carrier, has announced the launch of a new direct passenger service connecting Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and Port Louis, Mauritius, further strengthening its extensive African route network and enhancing connectivity across the continent.
The new service, scheduled to commence on July 12, 2026, will operate three times weekly on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, providing travellers with a more convenient and efficient travel option between East Africa and the Indian Ocean island nation.
The airline said the introduction of the direct route reflects its strategic commitment to promoting greater continental integration while supporting economic growth, tourism development, trade expansion, and stronger people-to-people connections across Africa.
Under the new schedule, Flight ET 0887 will depart Addis Ababa at 08:50 and arrive in Port Louis at 15:20, while the return service, Flight ET 0886, will depart Port Louis at 16:15 and arrive back in Addis Ababa at 20:45. The route will be operated using the airline’s Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft.
Commenting on the launch, Mesfin Tasew, Group Chief Executive Officer of Ethiopian Airlines, expressed optimism about the opportunities the new service will create for tourism, trade, and regional integration.
“We are delighted to launch this direct flight service to Mauritius, making it easier for Africans and other international tourists to visit this beautiful African island destination, while also enhancing business and trade opportunities. As a leading carrier on the continent, expanding our African network remains one of our top priorities, in line with our vision of strengthening connectivity among African nations and linking the continent more closely with the rest of the world,” he said.
Before the introduction of the direct service, Ethiopian Airlines served Mauritius through interline and codeshare arrangements via regional hubs such as Johannesburg, Nairobi, and Antananarivo. While these partnerships provided access to the destination, passengers were required to transit through intermediate points before reaching Mauritius.
The new direct connection is expected to significantly improve passenger convenience by reducing travel time, eliminating the need for additional stopovers, and providing seamless onward connections through Ethiopian Airlines’ hub in Addis Ababa to destinations across Africa, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and the Americas.
Industry stakeholders believe the route will not only strengthen air connectivity between Ethiopia and Mauritius but also contribute to broader efforts aimed at boosting intra-African travel and supporting the objectives of regional economic integration initiatives across the continent.
With Mauritius continuing to attract growing numbers of leisure and business travellers due to its thriving tourism sector, investment opportunities, and strategic location in the Indian Ocean, the new service is expected to stimulate travel demand while further reinforcing Ethiopian Airlines’ position as Africa’s leading carrier in terms of network reach and connectivity.
Passengers can now book flights on the new route through Ethiopian Airlines’ various sales and distribution channels ahead of the inaugural service in July 2026.
