Ethiopian Airlines launches operations in Bangladesh

The airline’s inaugural flight landed in Dhaka at 8:30am on Sunday

Ethiopian Airlines has launched direct flights between Addis Ababa and Dhaka, making it the 40th airline to operate in Bangladesh.

Its inaugural flight, a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft, touched down at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 8:30am on Sunday.

The aircraft was welcomed in Dhaka with a traditional water cannon salute.

The flight carried several government officials, including the head of Ethiopia's Civil Aviation Authority.

Senior officials, including the chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB), welcomed them at the airport.

Later, officials from both countries spoke at an event organised at the airport.

CAAB Chairman Air Vice Marshal Mohammad Monjur Kabir Bhuiyan said: “Ethiopia is known as the gateway to Africa. This airline will connect Bangladeshi passengers to various destinations in Africa as well as Europe and America.”

The Ethiopian delegation was led by its Civil Aviation Authority Director General Getachew Mengiste Alemayehu and Ethiopian Airlines Chief Commercial Officer Lemma Yadecha Gudeta.

The flight will not only offer direct connectivity between Bangladesh and Ethiopia, but also connect key destinations in Africa, the Middle East, Europe, and North America, said Alemayehu.

Highlighting Bangladesh as a dynamic and growing market, he hoped that the airline's modern fleet and service would meet the needs of travellers between the two regions.