Ethiopian Airlines boosts India-Africa connectivity with direct flights from Hyderabad to Addis Ababa, starting June 2025, enhancing trade and travel opportunities. Ethiopian Airlines, Africa’s largest carrier, has revealed plans for a new direct flight route connecting Hyderabad (HYD) and Addis Ababa (ADD). The service will commence on June 16, 2025, marking a pivotal milestone in fostering stronger ties between India and Africa while expanding Ethiopian Airlines’ operations in South Asia.

From June 16, 2025, Ethiopian Airlines will offer three weekly flights between Hyderabad and Addis Ababa. The distance of approximately 4,385 kilometers (2,724 miles) will be covered in about six hours.

Flight ET682 will depart Addis Ababa at 4:10 PM local time, arriving in Hyderabad at 12:40 AM (+1) IST, operating on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
Flight ET683 will leave Hyderabad at 1:55 AM IST and land in Addis Ababa at 5:55 AM local time, running on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.

The airline will utilize its Boeing 737 MAX-8 aircraft on this route, featuring 160 seats, including 16 in Business Class and 144 in Economy Class. Hyderabad, often referred to as the “City of Pearls,” has grown into a significant economic and technological hub. Ethiopian Airlines’ decision to include Hyderabad in its network highlights the city’s potential for increased global connectivity. This marks the first direct air link between Hyderabad and Africa, making it Ethiopian Airlines’ fifth destination in India, alongside Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Chennai.

Addis Ababa, home to Bole International Airport, serves as a key transit hub for travel across Africa, Europe, and the Americas. With this new route, Hyderabad travelers will gain seamless access to Ethiopian Airlines’ extensive global network, spanning over 130 destinations, including major African cities like Johannesburg, Nairobi, and Lagos, as well as North American hubs.

The demand for air travel between India and Africa has steadily risen due to increasing trade, investments, and tourism. Hyderabad, a critical hub for the pharmaceutical industry, shares robust trade links with African nations. In 2023 alone, 80,000 passengers traveled between Hyderabad and the African continent, underscoring the need for better connectivity.

Ethiopian Airlines’ new Hyderabad-Addis Ababa route aims to tap into this growing demand. Enhanced direct links are expected to further facilitate the movement of students, tourists, and business travelers between the two regions.

The new flight service represents a significant step in bolstering India-Africa relations. India, one of Africa’s largest trading partners, has seen bilateral trade with the continent surpass $90 billion in recent years. Ethiopia, as the headquarters of the African Union, plays a strategic role in India’s engagement with Africa.

In July 2024, Ethiopian Airlines secured approval from India’s Ministry of Civil Aviation to increase weekly flight rights from 35 to 38, paving the way for the launch of this new route. While the airline initially planned to commence flights in October 2024, operations were delayed until June 2025.

The introduction of direct flights between Hyderabad and Addis Ababa is poised to create new opportunities for trade, tourism, and cultural exchange. The route’s success will largely depend on demand from both business and leisure travelers. However, given the existing dynamics between India and Africa, the potential for this connection to thrive is substantial. With its strategic vision, Ethiopian Airlines is set to strengthen its presence in the Indian subcontinent while bridging the gap between two fast-growing regions.

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Ethiopian Airlines Adds New Flights from Addis Ababa to Hyderabad