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Ethiopian Airlines will raise its Nigerian operation to 53 weekly flights with four new weekly services to Port Harcourt.
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The new route gives the South-South direct access to Ethiopian’s global network through Addis Ababa, potentially boosting business, tourism and trade.
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The expansion raises a bigger question: can Port Harcourt leverage international air connectivity to become a stronger gateway for Nigeria’s South-South economy?
September 08, (THEWILL) — Ethiopian Airlines is expanding its operations in Nigeria to 53 weekly flights, with the addition of four weekly services to Port Harcourt, giving travellers in the South-South easier access to international destinations through Addis Ababa.
The airline is also increasing its Lagos operation to 21 weekly flights, while Kano will now have 11 weekly flights. The expansion means Ethiopian Airlines will serve five Nigerian cities — Lagos, Abuja, Kano, Enugu and Port Harcourt.
The Port Harcourt addition is particularly significant for the South-South, where the city remains a major business centre and an important hub for the oil and gas industry. The new service will provide passengers with another option for connecting to destinations across Africa, Europe, Asia, the Middle East and the Americas.
Speaking on the development, General Manager of Ethiopian Airlines in Nigeria, Firiehiwot Mekonnen, said the decision reflects the airline’s confidence in the Nigerian market.
“Nigeria remains a very important market for Ethiopian Airlines”, Mekonnen said, adding that the additional flights would give passengers “more flexibility, greater seat availability, better connectivity, and access to more attractive and competitive fares.”
She said the benefits would extend beyond passengers, pointing to opportunities for Nigerian businesses involved in ground handling, hotels, transport, catering and travel services.
“Every additional flight creates economic activity”, she said.
For Port Harcourt and the wider South-South, the new service could also support tourism and business travel by reducing the dependence on Lagos or Abuja for international connections.
Mekonnen said Ethiopian Airlines also wants to use its global network to bring more international visitors into Nigeria.
“Our objective is not only to connect Nigerians to the world, but also to bring more of the world to Nigeria”, she stated.
The success of the new Port Harcourt service, however, will depend on how well the region takes advantage of the opportunity. Increased international flights alone may not translate into more tourists or investment without stronger destination marketing, efficient airport services, reliable ground transportation and attractive tourism products.
For now, the addition of Port Harcourt gives the South-South a stronger link to the international aviation network and further expands Ethiopian Airlines’ reach across Nigeria.
Janefrances Ebere Chibuzor is a Tourism Writer at THEWILL
