Ethiopian Airlines has launched thrice-weekly passenger flights connecting Nacala, in northern Mozambique, with Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, strengthening international air connectivity and creating new opportunities for tourism, trade and investment in the region.
According to Club of Mozambique, the new service commenced on October 27, 2026, making Nacala the airline’s third destination in Mozambique after Maputo and Beira. The route operates on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays using a Boeing 737-8 aircraft.
The launch is expected to improve access to northern Mozambique, a region with significant economic and tourism potential, while providing travellers with connections through Ethiopian Airlines’ Addis Ababa hub to destinations across Africa, Europe, Asia, the Middle East and the Americas. The outbound service from Addis Ababa operates via Blantyre, Malawi, before continuing to Nacala. The return flight from Nacala to Addis Ababa operates nonstop, offering travellers a direct connection to the Ethiopian capital.
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Mozambican President Daniel Chapo welcomed the development as part of efforts to improve access to international markets and strengthen Nacala’s position as an economic centre. He said the new connection would enable travellers to access global destinations without first travelling to Maputo or Johannesburg. The new air link is expected to support tourism development in northern Mozambique by making the region more accessible to international visitors and travel businesses.
Nacala, located in Nampula Province, is known for its coastal attractions and deep-water port, which plays an important role in regional trade and logistics. Improved connectivity could help attract business travellers, investors and tourists while supporting hotels, tour operators and other hospitality businesses. The route also creates opportunities for tourism operators to develop travel packages linking Nacala with other destinations in Mozambique and the wider southern African region. Beyond tourism, the service is expected to facilitate business travel and strengthen commercial relationships between Mozambique and Ethiopia, particularly in sectors such as logistics, energy, infrastructure and investment.
For Ethiopian Airlines, the Nacala service forms part of its wider strategy to strengthen connections between African markets and its global network through Addis Ababa. The airline serves more than 160 domestic and international passenger and cargo destinations across five continents, including over 65 destinations in Africa. Its growing continental network positions it as a major facilitator of intra-African travel and commercial exchange. The launch follows discussions between the governments of Mozambique and Ethiopia on expanding air links and strengthening economic cooperation. The two countries have also considered increasing Ethiopian Airlines’ flight frequencies to Beira. The new route reinforces the role of aviation in supporting regional integration by improving passenger mobility, facilitating investment and creating new opportunities for tourism development.
