Ethiopian Airlines has launched a new passenger service to Mauritius, with the route commencing operations on Sunday and operating three times a week, linking Mauritius to the airline’s hub in Addis Ababa and its extensive international network.
The launch represents a significant commercial breakthrough for Ethiopian Airlines, which had reportedly sought access to the Mauritian market for more than a decade, with previous attempts facing strict resistance amid protectionist concerns for Air Mauritius, which has been navigating complex restructuring and fleet challenges.
The service operates on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays using a Boeing 737 MAX 8, with flight ET 0887 departing Addis Ababa at 08:50 and arriving in Port Louis at 15:20. The return service departs Mauritius at 16:15 and lands in Addis Ababa at 20:45. Prior to this direct route, Ethiopian Airlines served Mauritius through interline and codeshare partnerships via regional hubs including Johannesburg, Nairobi, and Antananarivo.
The timing of the launch aligns with a spike in high-level regional travel. The service begins just weeks ahead of the 18th US-Africa Business Summit, scheduled to take place in Mauritius from the 26th to the 29th of July 2026, an event expected to draw a large influx of government officials, international investors, and policymakers.
For Mauritius, the arrival of additional direct air services provides new opportunities to attract visitors from Africa and beyond, while Ethiopian Airlines gains another strategic link within its growing international network. Mauritius remains one of Africa’s most recognised tourism destinations, known for its white-sand beaches, luxury resorts, and multicultural heritage, with tourism playing a central role in the country’s economy.
Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO Mesfin Tasew said the new route reflected the airline’s commitment to expanding connectivity across Africa. “Mauritius is a destination of remarkable beauty, rich culture and growing economic importance. By establishing a direct link between the country and our vast global network, we are pleased to offer convenient travel options to our passengers while bringing the world closer to Mauritius.”
The route also reinforces Ethiopian’s Vision 2035 strategy, which relies heavily on a pan-African multi-hub system through partnerships with ASKY in Togo, Malawi Airlines, Zambia Airways, and Air Congo, to deepen intra-African aviation connectivity.
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