GVA: Direct Ethiopian Airlines Flight From Geneva To Addis Ababa
6th August 2020 Update:
Ethiopian Airlines has announced it has obtained a slot for a direct flight linking Geneva and Addis Ababa, starting the 12 August 2020. The airline will initially run the flight 3 times a week, leaving Geneva at 22:45 and arriving at the Ethiopian capital at 06:00. This link reinforces Geneva’s connectivity to the whole of Africa, as it enables access to connecting flights departing from this important African hub. The return flight from Addis Ababa leaves at midnight and arrives in Geneva in the early morning. A latest generation Boeing 787 will operate the flight.
Due to operational constraints at Genève Aéroport, Ethiopian Airlines had, until present, been operating its flights with a stop-over (mostly in Vienna and Milan). This non-stop flight, arriving early in the morning, without doubt meets the needs of the region, business men and women and, more specifically, International Geneva, whose diplomacy reaches the whole of Africa. Connecting flights with all African destinations are absolutely guaranteed. Addis Ababa houses the headquarters of the African Union, the UN office for the continent, as well as other multilateral bodies and NGOs.
This nonstop flight – which arrives early in the morning after departure at 22:45 – enables the airline to extend the flight beyond Geneva to another stop (Marseille), while respecting the flight crew’s rest period.
It should be recalled that Genève Aéroport’s SAIP (Sectoral Aviation Infrastructure Plan) allows three exceptions to be made for take-offs between 22:00 and midnight, if the flights are long-haul and operated by the latest generation aircraft. This is the case for the Ethiopian Airlines connection. What’s more, the current circumstances concerning noise pollution are favourable: noise levels were considerably reduced in 2018 and, as the airport continues its efforts – beyond the effects of the 2020 crisis – are they set to reduce further in 2021 and the years to come.
Supporting International Geneva
« Ethiopian Airlines’ decision to inaugurate a direct flight from Genève Aéroport is important for the longevity of intercontinental links from Geneva and for International Geneva. We have always believed in making supporting International Geneva a priority for Genève Aéroport », explained André Schneider, Director General of Genève Aéroport.
« Geneva and Addis Ababa are essential centres of diplomacy for the international community. This direct flight, without a stop-over, opens up over 62 destinations from the African hub. As far back as fifteen years ago, we sought to promote the ‘Kofi Annan route’, connecting Geneva, Addis Ababa and New York. The project has now finally been realised !», Tewolde Gebremariam said enthusiastically, CEO of Ethiopian Airlines.
Ethiopian Airlines (member of Star Alliance) has been operating from Geneva since June 2018. The inauguration of this line to Addis Ababa is part of the strategic goal to develop Genève Aéroport’s long-haul network.
Ethiopian is the biggest African airline, known for its quality service that has received countless awards. The airline operates an extremely modern fleet, notably the latest generation A350 and B787. Its network reaches over 62 destinations in the continent from its hub.
Press contact:
Madeleine von Holzen
Porte-parole
madeleine.vonholzen@gva.ch
+41 22 717 70 13
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https://www.gva.ch/en/Site/Passagers/Preparation-voyage/News/2024-2020/Vol-direct-Ethiopian-Airlines-Geneve-Addis-Abeba