Dhaka
: Ethiopian Airlines is looking to deepen its presence in Bangladesh as growing
demand for international travel, business, education and trade creates
opportunities for stronger links between South Asia and Africa, according to
Desalegn Molla, Area Manager for Bangladesh at Ethiopian Airlines.
Since
launching passenger services to Dhaka in 2024, the airline has seen continued
demand despite seasonal fluctuations and broader economic pressures. Talking to
The Bangladesh Monitor, Molla said Bangladesh is becoming increasingly
important to the carrier’s wider Asian network.
Diverse
passenger demand
Bangladesh’s
travel market is being supported by several segments, including family visits,
employment-related travel, business, education and tourism.
Molla
mentioned the airline also sees room for further growth in corporate travel,
student traffic, tourism and visiting-friends-and-relatives travel. The carrier
is seeking to work more closely with travel agencies and corporate partners to
capture these opportunities.
He
added Bangladesh’s expanding economy, large trade base and growing
international connections make the country strategically significant for
Ethiopian Airlines, particularly as commercial and investment links between
Bangladesh and Africa develop.
Addis
Ababa strengthens global connectivity
A
major advantage for Ethiopian Airlines is its Addis Ababa hub, which connects
Africa with Europe, North America, South America, the Middle East and Asia.
Molla
claimed Bangladeshi passengers can use the Ethiopian network to reach
destinations beyond major gateway cities, making Addis Ababa an important
transit point for travelers heading across multiple continents.
Desalegn Molla
He
added that stronger international connections will become increasingly
important as Bangladesh’s commercial, educational, tourism and people-to-people
links with global markets expand.
Competition,
airfares
Molla
acknowledged that Bangladesh is a highly competitive aviation market, where
Ethiopian Airlines faces alternatives from Gulf and Asian carriers.
Rather
than viewing competition as a threat, he said the airline sees it as an
incentive to improve its service and offer greater value to customers.
Airfares
remain particularly important in Bangladesh, with prices affected by fuel
costs, airport and navigation charges, operating expenses, capacity,
seasonality, demand and market competition.
The
airline regularly reviews demand and adjusts its inventory and pricing
strategies accordingly. Molla further mentioned promotional offers during
weaker travel periods and advance bookings can help passengers secure more
competitive fares.
Cargo
opportunities
Beyond
passenger traffic, Bangladesh’s export-oriented economy offers significant
potential for Ethiopian Airlines’ cargo business.
Molla
highlighted the country’s ready-made garment industry and wider manufacturing
and export sectors, while also pointing to opportunities involving
time-sensitive, specialized and high-value goods.
Through
its Addis Ababa hub and international cargo network, Ethiopian Airlines aims to
develop stronger relationships with freight forwarders, exporters, importers
and corporate customers to build two-way cargo flows.
Connecting
Bangladesh, Africa
Molla
sees substantial scope for expanding trade and investment between Bangladesh
and African countries. He identified agriculture, infrastructure,
manufacturing, energy, mining, tourism and consumer markets as areas where
greater engagement could develop.
He
also added Ethiopian Airlines can support these links by transporting not only
passengers but also cargo, business delegations, investors, technical
specialists and professionals.
Growth
plans
The
airline continues to invest in fleet modernization, network expansion and
additional cargo capacity. For Bangladesh, Molla noted the immediate focus is
on strengthening connectivity and improving schedules as demand changes.
Over
the next three to five years, Ethiopian Airlines aims to position Bangladesh as
an increasingly important bridge between South Asia and Africa.
Molla
expressed that the airline wants to increase two-way passenger and cargo
traffic rather than depend primarily on one-directional demand. With
Bangladesh’s growing economy, export base and international travel needs, he
said Ethiopian Airlines sees considerable potential to strengthen corporate,
tourism and trade ties between the two regions.
