Sharjah Airport further expands list of direct travel destinations

Sharjah Airport has launched the inaugural direct flights of Air Arabia to Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, further expanding the list of direct travel destinations to and from Sharjah, UAE.

The inaugural flight took off this Thursday morning in the presence of Ali Salim Al Midfa, Chairman of Sharjah Airport Authority (SAA); ‏Sheikh Faisal Bin Saoud Al Qassimi, Director of Sharjah Airport Authority Ambassador Aklilu Kebede Erena, Consul General of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Adel Al Ali, Group Chief Executive Officer of Air Arabia, Asmelash Bekele Weldemariam, Deputy Consul General along with several senior officials and executives from SAA and Air Arabia.

Air Arabia is set to operate three scheduled weekly flights between Sharjah and Addis Ababa on Saturdays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays. The flights will depart from Sharjah at 9:25 PM aboard an Airbus A320.

Ali Salim Al Midfa, Chairman of Sharjah Airport Authority, stated: “The launch of our new service to Addis Ababa and its addition to the list of direct destinations from Sharjah Airport underscores our commitment to expanding our network across African cities and capitals.”

“This step is designed to meet the growing demand for passenger and cargo travel between the UAE and Ethiopia.”

“The increasing economic, trade, and tourism ties between the two nations have witnessed a positive upward trajectory in recent years, fostering comprehensive development in various sectors, including tourism, freight, cargo handling, exports, and re-exports.”

Al Midfa expressed his enthusiasm for this new milestone, which aligns with Sharjah Airport’s ambitious strategy to expand its global reach, particularly in regions with high population density, rapid economic growth, and thriving tourism and natural attractions. With the addition of Addis Ababa, the number of African countries accessible via Sharjah Airport rises to 5 countries through 9 different destinations across the continent.

Ambassador Aklilu Kebede Erena, Consul General of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, emphasised that this route is more than just a new air connection—it serves as a strategic bridge that strengthens ties between Ethiopia and the UAE, fosters greater cultural and commercial exchange, and facilitates smoother passenger movement between the two countries.

He stated: “We are confident that this step will mark the beginning of further fruitful cooperation in the aviation sector. We look forward to making these flights daily, in line with growing demand, to enhance connectivity and economic integration. We also extend our gratitude to Sharjah Airport and Air Arabia for this initiative, which will expand partnership opportunities between Ethiopia and the UAE.”

Adel Al Ali, Group Chief Executive Officer of Air Arabia, commented: “We are pleased to launch our direct flights from Sharjah to Addis Ababa in Ethiopia, providing our passengers with more convenient travel options, whether for business or leisure. This new route reflects Air Arabia’s commitment to offering affordable and reliable air travel while enhancing connectivity across our growing network”.

Sharjah Airport continues to strengthen its regional competitiveness in the travel and cargo sectors by providing high-quality, efficient, and diversified services, while leveraging smart systems and advanced digital technologies to optimize its operations. This approach aims to ensure a seamless and safe travel experience for passengers and integrated cargo solutions for businesses.

The airport’s record-breaking performance in the past year in terms of passenger traffic, aviation operations, cargo handling, and institutional achievements reflects its status as a vital hub, reinforcing Sharjah Airport’s position as a dynamic gateway for tourists, business passengers, and investors connecting to and from Sharjah, UAE.

Meanwhile the Sharjah Airport Authority (SAA) announced record-breaking results for Sharjah Airport operations in 2024, continuing its upward trajectory in passenger, aviation, and cargo performance. These achievements underscore Sharjah’s success in solidifying its position as a premier destination for travel, tourism, and economic ventures.

Among the highlights of this exceptional performance, Sharjah International Airport welcomed a total of 17,101,725 passengers in 2024, marking an impressive 11.4 per cent increase compared to 15,356,212 passengers in 2023. Additionally, the total number of flights rose to 107,760 flights, representing a 9.5 per cent growth compared to 98,433 flights in 2023.

Cargo handling also saw unprecedented growth, with volumes increasing by a remarkable 38.6 per cent, reaching 195,909 tonnes compared to 141,358 tonnes in 2023. Furthermore, the airport handled 14,035 tonnes through sea-air cargo operations, reinforcing its role as a key logistics hub.