Ethiopian Airlines Resumes Kuwait Flights and Launches New Mauritius Route

Carrier Expands African Network While Restoring Suspended Middle East Services

Ethiopian Airlines has announced the resumption of flights to Kuwait and the launch of a new direct route to Mauritius, marking another step in the airline’s network expansion strategy across Africa and beyond.

The airline confirmed that passenger services to Kuwait City will resume on June 16, 2026, ending a four-month suspension that was introduced due to regional security concerns affecting several Middle Eastern destinations.

In a statement released on June 2, Ethiopian Airlines said it was resuming operations following a careful assessment of the security environment in the region.

The carrier added that it will continue monitoring developments across the Middle East and adjust operations as necessary to maintain safety standards.

The airline has not yet disclosed the flight frequency or aircraft type that will be deployed on the Kuwait route.

Direct Mauritius Service to Launch in July

Alongside the Kuwait resumption, Ethiopian Airlines is also preparing to launch direct passenger services to Mauritius, creating a new air link between East Africa and one of the continent’s leading tourism and business destinations.

The airline announced that it will begin operating three weekly flights between Addis Ababa and Port Louis starting July 12, 2026.

The launch follows the approval of a temporary operating permit granted by Mauritian authorities, allowing Ethiopian Airlines to serve the route between June 15 and September 30, 2026.

The new connection comes ahead of the US-Africa Business Summit scheduled to take place in Mauritius from July 26 to 29, where government officials, investors, business leaders, and policymakers from across Africa are expected to gather.

A Long-Awaited Market Entry

The Mauritius route represents a significant milestone for Ethiopian Airlines, which has reportedly pursued access to the Mauritian market for more than a decade.

Previous attempts faced challenges amid concerns about protecting Air Mauritius, the island nation’s national carrier, which has faced restructuring and fleet renewal difficulties in recent years.

Speaking on the launch, Mesfin Tasew said the new route will improve tourism, business travel, and trade opportunities while strengthening connectivity between African countries.

The airline currently serves nearly 80 destinations across Africa, making it one of the continent’s largest aviation networks.

Supporting Continental Growth

The new services align with Ethiopian Airlines’ broader strategy of expanding intra-African connectivity and strengthening Addis Ababa’s position as a major aviation hub linking Africa with Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and North America.

Industry observers view the Mauritius launch as part of the carrier’s ongoing effort to deepen its presence in underserved African markets while supporting trade, tourism, and business mobility across the continent.

The airline has not yet confirmed whether the Mauritius route will continue beyond the initial authorization period, though the launch is widely seen as a significant step toward establishing a permanent presence in the market.

source: EBR