Ethiopian Airlines to Fly to Hangzhou

ETHIOPIAN AIRLINES is to become the African carrier to offer flights to the Chinese city of Hangzhou in Zhejiang province, a region famous for its picturesque scenery and rich history. It will launch a five-times weekly service from Addis Ababa from 01MAY11 using a Boeing 767-300ER. The aircraft will make a stop at Delhi en route in both directions. The Indian city was previously served as a stop on Ethiopian’s Addis Ababa – Beijing service but this being upgraded to a non-stop service using a 777-200LR from the start of May.

Hangzhou is a good alternative destination to Shanghai, only 45 minutes away by high-speed train, but also has strong links for business travellers and particularly traders as Yiwu, a famous commodities trading centre, is only 100km away.

Ethiopian has been serving the Chinese market since November 1973 and alongside its Beijing and new Hangzhou service offers links to Guangzhou and Hong Kong. “This new operation to Hangzhou reinforces our commitment to the Chinese traveling public and the strong ties between China and Africa”, said Mr. Tewolde G Mariam, Chief Executive Officer of Ethiopian.

In the year ending December 2010, approximately 67,000 O&D passengers travelled between Ethiopia and China.

Schedule:

Addis Ababa – Delhi – Hangzhou
ET688 ADD0025 – 0850DEL0950 – 1805HGH 763 x35
ET689 HGH2130 – 0200+1DEL0300+1 – 0700+1ADD 763 x35

Addis Ababa – Beijing
ET604 ADD0005 – 1530PEK 77L D
ET605 PEK2230 – 0600+1ADD 77L D