Ethiopian Airlines sees Bangladesh as key gateway between South Asia, Africa

Dhaka : Ethiopian Airlines is looking to deepen its presence in Bangladesh as growing demand for international travel, business, education and trade creates opportunities for stronger links between South Asia and Africa, according to Desalegn Molla, Area Manager for Bangladesh at Ethiopian Airlines. Since launching passenger services to Dhaka in 2024, the airline has seen continued demand despite seasonal fluctuations and broader economic pressures. Talking to The Bangladesh Monitor, Molla said Bangladesh is becoming increasingly important to the carrier's wider Asian network. Diverse passenger demand Bangladesh's travel market is being supported by several segments, including family visits, employment-related travel, business, education and tourism. Molla mentioned the airline also sees room for further growth in corporate travel, student traffic, tourism and visiting-friends-and-relatives travel. The carrier is seeking to work more closely with travel agencies and corporate partners to capture these opportunities. He added Bangladesh's expanding economy, large trade base and growing international connections make the country strategically significant for Ethiopian Airlines, particularly as commercial and investment links between Bangladesh and Africa develop. Addis Ababa strengthens global connectivity A major advantage for Ethiopian Airlines is its Addis Ababa hub, which connects Africa with Europe, North America, South America, the Middle East and Asia. Molla claimed Bangladeshi passengers can use the Ethiopian network to reach destinations beyond major gateway cities, making Addis Ababa an important transit point for travelers heading across multiple continents.Desalegn Molla He added that stronger international connections will become increasingly important as Bangladesh's commercial, educational, tourism and people-to-people links with global markets expand. Competition, airfares Molla acknowledged that Bangladesh is a highly competitive aviation market, where Ethiopian Airlines faces alternatives from Gulf and Asian carriers. Rather than viewing competition as a threat, he said the airline sees it as an incentive to improve its service and offer greater value to customers. Airfares remain particularly important in Bangladesh, with prices affected by fuel costs, airport and navigation charges, operating expenses, capacity, seasonality, demand and market competition. The airline regularly reviews demand and adjusts its inventory and pricing strategies accordingly. Molla further mentioned promotional offers during weaker travel periods and advance bookings can help passengers secure more competitive fares. Cargo opportunities Beyond passenger traffic, Bangladesh's export-oriented economy offers significant potential for Ethiopian Airlines' cargo business. Molla highlighted the country's ready-made garment industry and wider manufacturing and export sectors, while also pointing to opportunities involving time-sensitive, specialized and high-value goods.Through its Addis Ababa hub and international cargo network, Ethiopian Airlines aims to develop stronger relationships with freight forwarders, exporters, importers and corporate customers to build two-way cargo flows. Connecting Bangladesh, Africa Molla sees substantial scope for expanding trade and investment between Bangladesh and African countries. He identified agriculture, infrastructure, manufacturing, energy, mining, tourism and consumer markets as areas where greater engagement could develop. He also added Ethiopian Airlines can support these links by transporting not only passengers but also cargo, business delegations, investors, technical specialists and professionals. Growth plans The airline continues to invest in fleet modernization, network expansion and additional cargo capacity. For Bangladesh, Molla noted the immediate focus is on strengthening connectivity and improving schedules as demand changes. Over the next three to five years, Ethiopian Airlines aims to position Bangladesh as an increasingly important bridge between South Asia and Africa. Molla expressed that the airline wants to increase two-way passenger and cargo traffic rather than depend primarily on one-directional demand. With Bangladesh's growing economy, export base and international travel needs, he said Ethiopian Airlines sees considerable potential to strengthen corporate, tourism and trade ties between the two regions.