Ethiopian Airlines to Launch Jizan Route, Expanding Saudi Arabia Network to Five Cities
Ethiopian Airlines is set to bolster its Middle East presence by introducing a new service to Jizan in early 2026, further expanding its footprint within Saudi Arabia. With this addition, the airline will now serve a total of five destinations in Saudi Arabia, reinforcing its strategic aim to enhance connectivity between East Africa and the Gulf region.
The new Jizan route will complement Ethiopian’s already robust operation in the kingdom, where it currently offers more than forty weekly passenger and cargo flights. This move is in line with the airline’s ongoing commitment to broadening its network, supporting trade, religious tourism, and the growing demand for business and leisure travel between Africa and the Middle East. By launching the Jizan route, Ethiopian Airlines strengthens its position as a key bridge for Africans traveling to the Gulf, while also facilitating easier inbound travel for Saudi visitors interested in Africa’s dynamic tourism and investment opportunities.
The airline’s strategy focuses on increased frequency and destination diversity, which not only benefits travelers but also creates new avenues for African tour operators, DMCs, and corporate travel managers to build more attractive packages. Ethiopian’s expanding Saudi network now includes key cities such as Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Madinah, and soon, Jizan. This network ensures that connections between Africa and Saudi Arabia are more seamless than ever, and positions Ethiopian Airlines as a preferred carrier for passengers and cargo moving between these two rapidly developing regions.
For Africa’s travel industry professionals, the new Jizan service provides another valuable gateway and reinforces the importance of Ethiopian Airlines as a partner for growth. The expanded access to Saudi Arabia opens up opportunities in the fields of religious tourism (notably for Hajj and Umrah pilgrims), diaspora mobility, trade missions, and tourism exchanges—each of which can be leveraged to develop new business lines and partnerships within the sub-Saharan travel sector.
As Ethiopian Airlines continues to invest in its fleet and network expansion, the launch of the Jizan service underlines its ambition to remain at the forefront of African aviation. For travel planners, the enhanced connectivity offers clients more choice, convenience, and the assurance of working with one of the continent’s most reliable carriers. With this strategic move, Ethiopian Airlines is set to play an even greater role in linking Africa to the Gulf, strengthening its leadership in the region and contributing to the broader goal of positioning Africa as a major player in global tourism and trade.
