Travellers flying from Durban will soon have a new way to reach Ethiopia and connect with destinations across Africa, Europe, Asia and beyond.
Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737 Max 8/By: Ian Dewar Photography/Getty Images
Ethiopian Airlines is launching daily non-stop flights between King Shaka International Airport in Durban and Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia.
The new service is scheduled to begin on 11 December 2026, with flights operated by a Boeing 737 MAX. Bookings for the route are already open, according to BusinessTech.
A new international link for Durban
The new route is being welcomed as a boost for Durban’s international air connectivity.
Durban Direct, a committee that works to attract and establish direct air services to King Shaka International Airport, said the service would give travellers in KwaZulu-Natal direct access to Addis Ababa without having to first travel to Johannesburg or Cape Town for an international connection.
The committee includes government departments, airport authorities and other tourism, transport and economic-development stakeholders, and is led by the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs.
King Shaka International Airport currently has international connections to destinations including Mauritius, Namibia, Mozambique, London, Dubai, Zambia, Doha and Turkey. The new Addis Ababa service will add another international route to the airport’s network.
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Addis Ababa opens up more connections
The significance of the new route extends beyond Ethiopia.
Addis Ababa is a major hub for Ethiopian Airlines, giving passengers from Durban the opportunity to connect onwards to a wide range of destinations.
According to Durban Direct, travellers will be able to use the Addis Ababa hub to reach cities including London, Paris, Frankfurt, Mumbai, Delhi and Washington, as well as destinations elsewhere across Africa, Europe, Asia and the Middle East.
The route could therefore make international travel more convenient for Durban residents who currently need to travel to another South African airport before beginning a long-haul journey.
Boost for tourism and business
KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs Musa Zondi said the new service would strengthen the province’s links with international markets.
“Air connectivity is a critical enabler of economic growth,” Zondi said, adding that the route could create opportunities for tourism, air freight and investment.
Durban Direct co-chair Hamish Erskine said improved air access remained an important factor in growing tourism in the region.
The new service is also expected to make KwaZulu-Natal more accessible to visitors from Ethiopia and other African countries, as well as international travellers who can connect through Ethiopian Airlines’ wider network.
For Durban travellers, the biggest benefit may simply be having another major international gateway on their doorstep, with daily direct flights to Addis Ababa from December.
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