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Tuesday, August 13, 2013

► TOGO: Ethiopian Airlines to launch its Lomé cargo hub this week as more planned pax routes to Asia unveiled.

Ethiopian Airlines logoEthiopian Airlines (ET) are set to launch Lomé, Togo as their second cargo hub outside Addis Ababa with effect from August 15. In addition to a connection to the carrier's Ethiopian primary hub, Lomé will also serve Europe via Liege, Belgium with a twice weekly MD-11F Freighter. Lomé is already the hub or its West African passenger subsidiary, ASKY Airlines (KP).

 
Interestingly, regional operations will include flights to Douala, Accra, Bamako, Abidjan, Abuja, Malabo, Ouagadougou, Port Harcourt, and Cotonou operated with a Boeing 737-300F. It is understood Ethiopian Airlines will enlist the B737-300F on a dry lease basis and subcontract it to ASKY Airlines on a wet lease basis thereby forming a joint operation.

London Heathrow - Liege
  •  Days 3,6 (Truck)
Liege - Lome
  • Days 4,7 (MD11F)
Lome - Douala
  • Days 1,5 (B737-300F)
Lome - Accra
  • Days 1,3,5,7 (B737-300F)
Lome - Bamako
  • Days 1,4,5,6 (B737-300F) 
Lome - Abuja
  • Day 2 (B737-300F) 
Lome - Abidjan
  • Days 2,6 (B737-300F) 
Lome - Malabo
  • Day 2 (B737-300F) 
Lome - Ouagadougou
  • Days 3,4,7 (B737-300F) 
Lome - Port Harcourt
  • Days 4 (B737-300F) 
Lome - Cotonou
  • Days 7 (B737-300F)
Meanwhile, the airline's passenger wing has outlined further destinations in South East Asia that it intends to serve in the coming future. According to Ethiopian's official Youtube channel, flights to Jakarta, Tokyo, and Shanghai are in the process of being planned. Manila, Singapore and Ho Chi Minh City, while previously announced but subsequently cancelled, are also said to be in the pipeline though no official dates have yet been given.