The Airline That Never Left Ben Gurion Airport and Continues to Increase Flights
While many foreign carriers remain cautious, Ethiopian Airlines is increasing its frequency from Ben Gurion Airport to 26 flights per week. A revolution in service and management, combined with rising demand from Israeli passengers for destinations in Africa and the Far East, has made the company one of Israel's most loyal and reliable partners.
While the security situation remains tense and some airlines continue to cancel flights to Israel, Ethiopian Airlines announced late last week that it would expand its operations on the Tel Aviv-Addis Ababa route throughout August. The company, represented in Israel by the Tal Aviation group, will add five weekly flights, increasing the total from 21 to 26 in each direction.
Following El Al's decision to cancel flights to South Africa in 2024, Ethiopian remains the only carrier directly connecting Israel to a major African aviation hub, providing access to dozens of destinations across the continent. This success is rooted in both strong bilateral ties and a profound internal transformation the company has undergone in recent years.
A Service Revolution and Doubling Revenues
"I have been following this company for 30 years," says Yehuda Zafrani, a tourism and international aviation expert at the Hot consumer club. "At the beginning, I advised people to avoid Turkish Airlines and Ethiopian; every passenger returned with a complaint. But both companies underwent a real revolution, and today they are among the world's aviation leaders."
Last July, Ethiopian ranked 43rd globally in daily flights (456). The company operates over 170 aircraft, including advanced Boeing 787 Dreamliners, which are also deployed on the Tel Aviv route. Financial results reflect this progress: revenues doubled over five years to $7.6 billion in 2024/2025, while operating profit nearly tripled.
Strategic Hub Development
These changes stem from the Ethiopian government's decision to put the country on the global aviation map. "They realized they needed a strong international airline," Zafrani explains. "They brought in European managers and were not afraid of major reforms." Earlier this year, the company began construction on a new $12.5 billion airport in Bishoftu, set to become Africa's largest by 2030, with a capacity of 110 million passengers annually.
Investment in the country is also surging: the "Invest in Ethiopia 2026" forum saw over $13 billion in commitments, led by Chinese firms investing in energy and heavy industry.
"They Don't Fold at Every Tweet"
Zafrani notes that Ethiopian Airlines has leveraged its strategic location in the heart of Africa. "Israelis discovered this airline over the last decade, partly due to convenient, affordable connections to India and the Far East. It is crucial to remember that this company never stopped flying to Israel during the war—it is only adding flights. It has the mentality of a strong company that prioritizes economic logic, unlike those that get scared by every news headline."
Demand from Israelis continues to rise: Ofir Tours data shows a 22% increase in searches for Ethiopia and a 132% jump for Zanzibar. Guy Tahler, CEO of Tal Aviation's Israel branch, notes: "We grew from 18 weekly flights in June to 26 at the peak of the season. Addis Ababa's international airport has become one of the world's most efficient hubs."
Today, Israeli passengers use Addis Ababa as a transit point for Thailand, Japan, India, and vacation spots like the Seychelles, Mauritius, Kenya, and South Africa. Ethiopian Airlines has proven its loyalty, serving as a vital gateway for Israelis during these challenging times.
