Wednesday, June 18, 2025

Ethiopian Airlines has launched a new direct flight from Addis Ababa to Hyderabad, enhancing connectivity between Africa and India. This strategic move is aimed at fostering medical tourism, providing African patients with direct access to Hyderabad’s world-renowned healthcare facilities. The new route, which began operations on June 16, 2025, supports the growing demand for medical services in Telangana, positioning Hyderabad as a leading destination for specialized medical treatments.

Ethiopian Airlines has officially launched a direct flight connecting Addis Ababa, the Ethiopian capital, to Hyderabad, India, aiming to tap into the growing prominence of the city as a major medical tourism hub. The new route, which began operations on June 16, 2025, represents a strategic move by the airline to cater to the increasing demand for medical tourism between Africa and India. This development is poised to enhance connectivity and foster greater collaboration in the medical sector, benefiting African patients seeking world-class healthcare services in Telangana.

The new service, which operates three times a week, will provide direct flights between the two cities, facilitating the growing flow of African medical tourists to Hyderabad’s renowned healthcare facilities. The outbound flight, ET 682, departs from Addis Ababa every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday, while the return service, ET 683, operates from Hyderabad to Addis Ababa on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Ethiopian Airlines’ decision to introduce this direct connection reflects the increasing recognition of Hyderabad as an emerging medical tourism destination.

Hyderabad has steadily built a reputation for its state-of-the-art hospitals and medical institutions that cater to international patients, particularly from African nations. The city is now seen as a premier destination for specialized treatments in diverse fields such as cardiology, oncology, nephrology, and organ transplants. These advanced medical facilities have earned global recognition, attracting patients seeking high-quality treatments at competitive costs compared to other countries. Ethiopian Airlines, as the leading airline for travel to Africa, is now poised to serve this growing market with increased accessibility to Hyderabad.

The initiative is in line with Ethiopian Airlines’ broader expansion strategy in India. The airline’s managing director of international services, Teklehaimanot G Yohannes, emphasized the airline’s commitment to supporting medical tourism by providing tailored travel solutions for patients and their families. “Medical tourism is becoming an increasingly significant sector for us in India, and we are pleased to serve as the gateway for African patients seeking advanced medical care in Hyderabad,” Yohannes remarked in an interview with The Hindu. Ethiopian Airlines has long been a pioneer in connecting African countries with key international destinations, and the introduction of the Addis Ababa-Hyderabad route further strengthens its position in the Indian subcontinent.

Hyderabad’s thriving medical tourism sector is driven by its hospitals’ advanced infrastructure, highly skilled medical professionals, and affordable healthcare services. Many African nations, particularly those in East and Central Africa, face limited access to specialized treatments. As a result, an increasing number of patients are opting to travel to Hyderabad for treatments that are not readily available in their home countries. With Ethiopian Airlines offering direct connectivity, the airline is not only facilitating smoother travel for patients but also helping streamline the process of accessing top-tier medical services.

The expansion of Ethiopian Airlines’ flight network to Hyderabad is expected to have a ripple effect on both the healthcare and travel industries. For patients, the convenience of direct flights will significantly reduce travel time and logistical complications. Additionally, the partnership between Ethiopian Airlines and Hyderabad’s healthcare providers can foster future collaborations, opening the door for potential medical conferences, knowledge exchange programs, and collaborative research initiatives.

The airline’s role in promoting medical tourism goes beyond providing transportation; it also includes ensuring a seamless journey for patients who may require special assistance during their travel. Ethiopian Airlines offers a range of services tailored to the needs of medical tourists, including assistance with medical equipment, priority check-in, and support for accompanying family members. By catering to these unique travel requirements, Ethiopian Airlines is positioning itself as a key player in the growing medical tourism market.

This new route also has the potential to create economic benefits for both Ethiopia and India, strengthening bilateral relations and boosting trade, tourism, and cultural exchange. With the rise of medical tourism as a significant sector in both countries, the Addis Ababa-Hyderabad flight is likely to become an important link for facilitating travel not only for patients but also for medical professionals, students, and investors in the healthcare sector.

Ethiopian Airlines has introduced a new direct flight from Addis Ababa to Hyderabad, strengthening connectivity between Africa and India. This move is designed to boost medical tourism, providing African patients easier access to Hyderabad’s top-tier healthcare facilities.

In conclusion, Ethiopian Airlines’ introduction of the direct Addis Ababa-Hyderabad flight is a major milestone in the airline’s strategic expansion within India and its focus on supporting the rapidly growing medical tourism market. The airline’s commitment to providing enhanced travel options for African patients highlights the crucial role it plays in connecting Africa with the world’s leading medical destinations. With Hyderabad continuing to attract a large number of international patients, this new route is expected to further solidify the city’s position as a key player in the global medical tourism industry.