Airlines Ethiopian Airlines partners up with Chad over new national carrier

Agreements have been finalized between the two parties. While Ethiopian Airlines will hold a 49 percent stake in the joint venture, the Government of Chad will own the 51 percent majority stake.

With the new carrier, Chad is set to be connected to African domestic destinations. In the long run, the airline may also fly on international routes to connect the country with Asia, Europe or the Middle East.

According to Ethiopian Airlines, the new national airline will commence operations on October 1, 2018. A name for the airline is yet to be officially announced. Speculations however have it, that the airline will be named Chadian Airlines.
Mr. Tewolde GebreMariam, Group CEO of Ethiopian Airlines said: "The new Chad national carrier will serve as a strong hub in Central Africa availing domestic, regional and eventually international air connectivity to the major destinations in the Middle East, Europe and Asia. I wish to thank His Excellency President Idriss Deby Itno, the Government of Chad and the stakeholders in the aviation sector in Chad for their strong support to the project.”

As one of the fastest growing airlines in Africa, Ethiopian Airlines will help the carrier to get started by providing the needed funds and structures.

“The strategic equity partnership in the launching of the new Chad national carrier is part of our Vision 2025 multiple hub strategy in Africa," GebreMariam added.

Ethiopian Airlines currently operates with a multiple hubs strategy throughout Africa. The airline has a hub in Lomé (Togo) with ASKY Airlines and in Lilongwe (Malawi) with Malawian.

Furthermore, Ethiopian is aiming to launch Ethiopian Mozambique Airlines and has acquired stakes in the national carriers of Guinea and Zambia.

93 aircraft belong to the fleet of Ethiopian Airlines. It includes nine Airbus A350s, 20 Boeing B737s, one B757, six B767s, 10 B777s, six B77Fs, 23 B787s and 18 Dash 8-400s. The airline flies to 74 countries and 132 destinations. Ethiopian Airlines is member of Star Alliance and commenced operations in April 1946.