Durban – Durban is set to gain a new international air link when Ethiopian Airlines launches daily direct flights between King Shaka International Airport and Addis Ababa from December.
The new service will begin on 11 December 2026 and will be operated with a Boeing 737 MAX. Bookings for the route are already open.
The service will give passengers in KwaZulu-Natal direct access to Addis Ababa, one of Africa’s major aviation hubs, with onward connections to destinations across Africa, Europe, Asia, the Middle East and North America.
Engineering News reported that passengers will be able to connect through Addis Ababa to major destinations including London, Paris, Frankfurt, Mumbai, Delhi and Washington, while international travellers will have an additional route into Durban.
The new route is being supported by Durban Direct, a public-private initiative working to expand international air services to the city.
Key gateway
KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs Musa Zondi said the route was significant for the province.
“The launch of the Durban-Addis Ababa route marks a major milestone for KwaZulu-Natal and reinforces our position as a key gateway into Africa,” Zondi said.
He added that “air connectivity is a critical enabler of economic growth” and said the service could create opportunities for tourism, air freight and investment.
According to Travelnews reported that the daily service will connect Durban directly to Ethiopian Airlines’ Addis Ababa hub, providing one-stop access to a broader international network.
International access
The route will also expand King Shaka International Airport’s international network. The Citizen’s Northglen News reported that the airport already serves international destinations including Dubai, Doha, London, Türkiye and Mauritius.
Durban Direct co-chair Hamish Erskine said the new service reflected continued efforts to improve international access to the region.
“The introduction of the Durban-Addis Ababa service reflects the continued success of Durban Direct’s route development strategy and collaborative efforts with aviation, tourism and government stakeholders to improve air access to the region,” Erskine said.
The route is expected to support inbound tourism from Ethiopia and other markets served through Ethiopian Airlines’ network, while giving KwaZulu-Natal travellers a new gateway to international destinations.
The daily Durban-Addis Ababa service is scheduled to start on 11 December 2026.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
