Ethiopian Airlines announces a new thrice-weekly passenger service linking Addis Ababa with Lyon, France, via Geneva, Switzerland, starting from 02 July 2026. The route expands the carrier’s footprint in France to 3 destinations — Lyon joining Paris and Marseille — and strengthens connectivity between Europe, Africa and beyond.
The service targets both leisure and business travellers seeking smoother onward connections through Ethiopian’s global network, while also reinforcing trade and tourism links between France and Africa. Ethiopian Airlines positions the new route as part of its broader European expansion strategy, leveraging Geneva as a transit point to improve scheduling flexibility and network reach.
A third French gateway for Ethiopian Airlines
With Lyon added to its map, Ethiopian Airlines deepens its presence in one of Europe’s most dynamic travel markets. France has long been a core market for the airline, supported by decades of passenger and cargo operations that connect African cities with European hubs.
Commenting on the launch, “We are delighted to expand our presence in France with the addition of Lyon to our extensive global network. France has long been a key market for Ethiopian Airlines, and with over five decades of connecting the country to Africa and beyond, we remain committed to strengthening our services to/from France and the region, facilitating trade, tourism, and people to people ties. Beyond enhancing connectivity, this new route provides our passengers with seamless access to destinations across our worldwide network, reaffirming our commitment to offering reliable, convenient, and high-quality travel experiences,” said Mesfin Tasew, Group CEO.
The airline highlights that its European services act as a bridge between continents, offering onward connectivity to more than 65 destinations across Africa using young and ultra-modern aircraft. The new Ethiopian Airlines Lyon route complements recent network growth across Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia, reinforcing the carrier’s ambition to remain one of the fastest-growing airline brands globally.
Lyon is widely known for its culinary heritage, UNESCO-listed old town and strategic location between the Alps and southern France, making it attractive for both short city breaks and longer regional journeys. For travellers from Africa and Asia, the new flights to Lyon open easier access to eastern France without relying solely on Paris gateways.
The Geneva stop also broadens connectivity options for passengers travelling between Switzerland, France and Ethiopia, while offering smoother transfer possibilities into Ethiopian Airlines’ African network. Travellers can expect consistent scheduling with thrice-weekly frequencies designed to balance demand across leisure, visiting friends and relatives, and corporate travel segments.
For the airline, the route strengthens its competitive positioning in Europe and supports long-term growth in secondary European cities that are seeing rising international demand. For passengers, it means more choice, improved routing flexibility and better access to emerging destinations across Africa through a single carrier network.
