Ethiopian Airlines, Africa’s largest carrier, will begin a thrice-weekly service from Addis Ababa to Lyon, France, via Geneva, Switzerland, starting 02 July 2026, the airline announced.

The new route expands its French network to three destinations, alongside Paris and Marseille, strengthening its presence in Europe and enhancing connectivity between the continent and Africa.

Flights will operate on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. The Addis Ababa–Geneva leg departs at 00:10, arriving at 06:30, before continuing to Lyon at 08:15. Return flights leave Lyon at 19:20, arriving in Geneva at 20:05, and then Addis Ababa at 04:55 the following day. All segments will be operated on Boeing 737-900 aircraft.

Ethiopian Airlines Group chief executive Mesfin Tasew said the addition of Lyon reflects the airline’s long-standing commitment to France, a market it has served for more than five decades. “With Lyon, we are further extending our global network from France, creating seamless connections that link Africa to Europe and beyond. This route not only supports trade and tourism but also strengthens the people-to-people ties that have long defined our service in the region,” he said.

The Lyon service is part of Ethiopian Airlines’ broader European strategy, which includes direct links to cities such as Paris, Marseille, Frankfurt, Milan, Rome, Athens, Madrid, Lisbon, Brussels, and Vienna. The airline deploys a mix of Boeing 787 Dreamliners and Airbus A350s on long-haul European routes to enhance passenger comfort and operational efficiency. Secondary city routes, including the new Lyon service, reflect the carrier’s push to diversify its network beyond traditional hubs and strengthen Africa–Europe connectivity.

Ethiopian Airlines continues to expand globally, offering connections to more than 65 African destinations and maintaining Addis Ababa as a key gateway for passengers travelling between Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.