Ethiopian Airlines has postponed the launch of flights from Addis Ababa to Moscow. The route's launch, originally scheduled for November 15, is now scheduled for December 6, according to Travel.ru.
This is not the first time plans for this route have been adjusted. The carrier previously reduced its planned flight frequency. Instead of the previously planned four flights per week, the schedule now only operates three. Taken together, this indicates low demand and raises some doubts about whether the route will even be reopened, especially given the high ticket prices. Specifically, the minimum price for a roundtrip flight from Moscow to Addis Ababa is currently 38,469 rubles, while a flight to Johannesburg with a layover in Addis Ababa costs 50,542 rubles.
As a reminder, flights are scheduled with a stopover in Istanbul on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Departure from Addis Ababa is at 12:30 AM, landing in Istanbul between 4:40 AM and 5:40 AM, arriving in Moscow (Sheremetyevo Airport) at 9:20 AM. The return flight departs at 9:00 PM, landing in Istanbul between 10:45 PM and 11:45 PM, arriving in Addis Ababa at 6:05 AM. Total travel time is 9 hours. Tickets are not available for sale on the Moscow-Istanbul route.
The route will be served by a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner. The Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 787 has 270 seats: 24 business class seats (in a 2+2+2 layout, with seats that lie flat) and 246 economy class seats (in a 3+3+3 layout).
This is the only instance to date of a foreign airline's aircraft being scheduled for a 24-hour layover at Sheremetyevo. This was apparently done to optimize connections in Addis Ababa with other Ethiopian Airlines flights, primarily within Africa.
Russian citizens can obtain a visa to Ethiopia upon arrival. Furthermore, as of June 1, Ethiopia introduced online visa application in advance for citizens of all countries (this costs more than at the airport).
Source: travel.ru
