ETHIOPIAN AIRLINES: Launches flights to Melbourne, Australia in 2028

Ethiopian Airlines, Star Alliance member and Africa’s largest airline, is reported as having confirmed it is targeting 2028 for its Australian debut. Group CEO Mesfin Tasew says the carrier will need roughly two years to secure the wide-body aircraft required for the ultra-long-haul mission to Australia’s east coast.

“We will most likely start flying to Australia in 2028, by renting or purchasing, as a larger batch of aircraft will arrive the year after that”

Ethiopean Airlines CEO Mesfin Tasew

For Ethiopian, Australia has long been described as the “final missing piece” in a network that already stretches across Africa, Europe, Asia, the Middle East and the Americas.

The aircraft that will make it happen

To operate such a long sector profitably, Ethiopian is understood to be weighing additional Airbus A350 or Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft. Both types already form the backbone of the airline’s long-haul fleet and offer the range and fuel efficiency needed for services linking Addis Ababa with Australia.

Melbourne the frontrunner

Melbourne Airport has previously confirmed discussions with Ethiopian about potential services, and industry chatter continues to point to Melbourne as a strong candidate.

The Victorian capital has a sizeable African diaspora community and fewer direct links to the African continent than Sydney. That combination makes it commercially attractive.

However, Tasew has now confirmed two Australian cities have been shortlisted, without naming them. That leaves open the possibility that Sydney could also be in contention, or that a phased rollout could begin with one city before expanding to another. The new, 24 hour operating Western Sydney International Airport would be a great candidate for the expansion.

For Australian travellers

A direct Ethiopian Airlines service would open up one of the most extensive African networks available from Australia.

Via its hub at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, Ethiopian serves more than 60 destinations across Africa,. Many of those destination are underserved from Australia. For travellers heading to places like Nairobi, Johannesburg, Lagos or smaller East and West African cities, Ethiopian could become a compelling one-stop alternative to Gulf carriers.

It would also introduce new competition into long-haul markets currently dominated by Middle Eastern airlines operating via Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi.

Currently, the only two direct services from Australia to Africa. They are the Qantas route to Johannesburg, and the South African Airways route to Perth

Strong financial tailwinds

The announcement comes as Ethiopian Airlines reports solid growth. The carrier posted AU$6.17 billion in revenue for the first half of FY26, a 14% year-on-year increase. The airline carried 10.64 million passengers over the six-month period, an 11% increase on the previous year.

That financial strength gives credibility to its Australian ambitions. The airline has consistently expanded while others have retrenched. It operates one of the youngest and most modern fleets in Africa.

Still a long runway

While 2028 may sound distant, ultra-long-haul launches require careful fleet planning, slot negotiations, and local commercial groundwork. Ethiopian has already appointed representation in Australia, signalling that the market entry process is underway.

2PAXfly Takeout

For now, no schedules, flight numbers or aircraft configurations have been released. But if Ethiopian Airlines does touch down in 2028, it will mark the first direct sub-Saharan African carrier to operate scheduled passenger services between Australia and Africa in years.

Ethiopian Airlines is broadly regarded as reliable, offering a two-cabin configuration of Cloud Nine (Business Class) and Economy Class. Reviewers note that service levels and amenities can vary. Entertainment options are not extensive either. However, bargains are to be had.

For Australian travellers with Africa on the bucket list, that will be a very welcome development.