Ethiopian Airlines, Africa’s most profitable carrier, is deepening its commitment to Nigeria with a major expansion of its operations, including the introduction of four weekly flights to Port Harcourt and increased frequencies to Lagos and Kano.
The expansion will raise the airline’s total operations in Nigeria to 53 weekly flights, strengthening its position in one of Africa’s largest and most strategically important aviation markets.
Under the new schedule, Ethiopian Airlines will increase its Lagos operation to 21 weekly flights, providing up to three daily services. Its Kano operation will also rise by four flights to 11 weekly services.
The airline will, for the first time, operate four weekly flights to Port Harcourt, complementing its existing services to Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Enugu.
The expansion is expected to significantly improve international connectivity for passengers travelling from different parts of Nigeria, while providing greater access to Ethiopian Airlines’ extensive global network through its Addis Ababa hub.
Speaking on the development, the General Manager of Ethiopian Airlines in Nigeria, Firiehiwot Mekonnen, said the increased capacity demonstrated the airline’s confidence in Nigeria’s aviation market and the country’s broader 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.
She stressed that the expansion would extend beyond passenger convenience, arguing that increased flight operations would generate economic opportunities across several sectors of the Nigerian economy.
According to her, additional flights would stimulate tourism, trade and investment while supporting employment and creating new opportunities for businesses providing services to the aviation and hospitality industries.
“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 commencement of flights to Port Harcourt is particularly significant for Nigeria’s South-South region, which is home to major commercial, industrial and oil and gas activities.
The new service is expected to provide travellers and businesses in Rivers State and neighbouring states with an additional international travel option, potentially reducing the need to travel to Lagos or Abuja to access certain international connections.
For the airline, the move represents more than an expansion of its route network. It is also a strategic bet on Nigeria’s long-term economic prospects and the growing demand for reliable international air connectivity.
With operations across five Nigerian cities and 53 weekly flights, Ethiopian Airlines is positioning itself for a larger share of Nigeria’s increasingly competitive international aviation market.
The latest expansion also reinforces the importance of Nigeria to the airline’s broader African strategy, as carriers compete to capture passenger traffic, business travel and regional connectivity across the continent.
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