Dec 05, 2018: Ethiopian Airlines’ partner in Mozambique, named as Ethiopian Mozambique Airlines, has commenced operations from its base in Maputo.

Ethiopian Airlines’ group CEO Tewolde Gebremariam said, “The launch of the operations, which takes place through a partnership with Ethiopian Airlines, is expected to promote the necessary and improved air connectivity in the country and abroad, thereby increasing the share of African indigenous carriers in the continent’s air transport market. I want to thank the government of Mozambique for its visionary decision and policies that allowed the start of the activities of Ethiopian Mozambique Airlines.”

The new airline will initially serve seven routes out of Maputo and offer flights to Nacala, Nampula, Beira, Quelimane, Pemba, Tete and Chimoio, according to information received from a source.

Having commenced operations with Bombardier Q400 turboprop aircraft, additional aircraft of Boeing B737-800NG type also will be used as additional routes become operational.

The initial start date of October 1, 2018 could not be met at the time due to additional regulatory paperwork which Mozambique’s regulators could not process fast enough to meet the planned start-up date, leading to the postponement of flights until the beginning of December.

Back in August, it was announced that Ethiopian airlines would be based in Nacala when it began to operate domestic routes. It has subsequently had second thoughts, and Maputo was chosen for its Mozambique operations.