Monday, May 27, 2024 Ethiopia’s aviation sector undergoes a revolutionary transformation as private charter carriers are granted access to the scheduled domestic passenger and cargo market. In a strategic effort to liberalize the domestic airline industry, the Ethiopian Civil Aviation Authority has granted private charter carriers access to Ethiopia’s scheduled domestic passenger and cargo market. In an announcement shared via social media, the authority disclosed that licenses have been issued to Ethiopian air transport operators, enabling them to offer regular passenger and cargo flights in addition to their existing charter services.
Currently, Ethiopian Airlines (ET, Addis Ababa International) is the sole scheduled carrier in the country, while eight passenger charter operators are active, including Abyssinia Flight Services, Aquarius Aviation, East African Aviation, Midroc Aviation, National Airways (Ethiopia), Trans Nation Airways, Walya Airways, and Zemen Flying Service, as listed in the ch-aviation PRO airlines module. The Ethiopian regulator emphasized that over the past two years, it has been undergoing significant transformation, updating procedures and implementing new ones to promote private sector participation in domestic route operations. This initiative aims to enhance the aviation sector’s economic contribution, provide more incentives and opportunities for investors to offer safe services, connect different regions within the country, and boost touris.
