Ethiopian Airlines expands Sharjah flights with daily service this winter
Sharjah Airport targets 25 million passengers annually by end of 2027
DUBAI – Ethiopian Airlines is set to expand its services to Sharjah during the Northern winter 2025/26 season, marking another milestone in its operations across the UAE.
Beginning 26th October 2025, the airline will increase its Addis Ababa–Sharjah route from four weekly services to a daily operation. The route will primarily be operated by the Boeing 737 MAX 8, with selected flights flown by the 737-800.
Ethiopian Airlines’s flights to Sharjah
Sharjah Airport’s connection with Ethiopian Airlines is still a relatively new chapter. On 2nd June 2025, the airport officially welcomed the carrier’s first direct flight from Addis Ababa, an event that underscored Sharjah’s growing global connectivity. The inaugural flight was marked with a special reception attended by senior officials and representatives from both sides.
The launch of Ethiopian Airlines flights into Sharjah represents a significant step for both the carrier and the airport. Ethiopian Airlines currently operates four weekly flights between Addis Ababa Bole International Airport and Sharjah Airport. These flights depart Addis Ababa on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, with return flights from Sharjah scheduled on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
From October, however, Sharjah will see a daily connection to Addis Ababa, providing both leisure and business travellers with greater flexibility.
Ali Salim Al Midfa, Chairman of Sharjah Airport Authority (SAA), highlighted that the new partnership strengthens the emirate’s growing profile in international aviation. He noted that the agreement aligns with Sharjah Airport’s strategic plans to expand its network and accommodate rising demand. Passenger capacity is projected to reach 25 million annually by the end of 2027, supported by major expansion projects and advanced digital systems to enhance operations.
Al Midfa described the service as “a qualitative step in reinforcing the airport’s role as a vital air bridge that supports trade and investment flows between the UAE and African nations”. He also stressed Sharjah Airport’s commitment to delivering seamless travel experiences through the adoption of smart technologies, raising efficiency and sustainability standards.
Mesfin Tasew, Group CEO of Ethiopian Airlines, said: “We are truly delighted to connect our passengers to an additional getaway in the UAE with our new flights to Sharjah. We have been connecting the UAE and Africa for nearly five decades now and the new service will help boost the investment, tourism, diplomatic and socioeconomic bonds between the two regions.”
New routes
Ethiopian Airlines is Africa’s largest carrier, flying to 142 international destinations for passengers and cargo. The airline’s operations are known for high efficiency, modern fleets, and adherence to international safety and quality standards.
Looking ahead, the airline has also filed expanded services into South Asia as part of its Northern winter 2025/26 schedule. Flights to Dhaka will launch on 26 October 2025, with two weekly services operated by the Boeing 737 MAX 8, later increasing to three weekly from 18 February 2026. This will raise Ethiopian Airlines’ overall Dhaka frequency from four to six weekly flights, and seven from mid-February.
Meanwhile, flights to Karachi will see an increase from four to five weekly services starting 2 December 2025, further boosting Ethiopian Airlines’ reach in South Asia.