Direct flights from Addis to Malawi’s Blantyre

Ethiopian Airlines is to launch direct flights from Addis Ababa to Blantyre, Malawi's second city and centre of commerce, from 31 March.

The flights will operate three times a week between Bole International Airport in the Ethiopian capital and Chileka International Airport in Blantyre, in southern Malawi.

Currently, with the exception of South African Airways (SAA) and Air Malawi, all other major carriers only fly to Kamuzu International Airport (KIA) in the Malawian capital Lilongwe in the central region.

Along with Kenya's Jomo Kenyatta airport in Nairobi, and South Africa's OR Tambo in Johannesburg, Addis Ababa will be one of the key hubs for international air travellers from Malawi.

The new service should make it easier for international commuters travelling to Blantyre, with many currently having to take numerous connections.

Ethiopian Airlines already operates out of Lilongwe, and the Blantyre service becomes its 44th destination in Africa.