ADDIS ABABA, Oct. 29 (Xinhua) -- Ethiopian Airlines, the largest aviation group in Africa, on Monday disclosed that it will commence regular flights to Moscow, Russia in December this year.
The flight to Russia's capital will also mark Ethiopian Airlines' presence in all the five BRICS member countries.
"As of December, Ethiopian Airlines will connect Moscow with 59 cities in Africa, with thrice a week flights operated with the ultra-modern 787 Dreamliner," the airline said in a statement on Monday.
Revealing the commencement of direct flight route connecting Africa and Russia, Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO, Tewolde GebreMariam, said that "Russia will be the final BRICS country in our ever growing global network."
"The air connectivity Ethiopian Airlines provides to link Africa and Russia will go a long way towards facilitating and bolstering multifaceted relations between the two regions," he said.
GebreMariam also indicated that Russia, as one of the world's leading producers of oil and natural gas, offers ample trade and investment potentials for investors.
"Our direct flights will also promote Ethiopian and other African tourist attractions to the Russian tourists," he said.
Ethiopian Airlines is currently the biggest carrier of passenger and cargo between Africa and China, another BRICS member country.
Ethiopia's flag carrier currently flies to five destinations in China that include Beijing, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Chengdu and Guangzhou. It has also finalized preparations to add Shenzhen on the list.
