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Ethiopian Airlines and Etihad Airways have concluded a joint business agreement in Addis Ababa today. The agreement includes a comprehensive codeshare arrangement and the launch of new direct flights between Addis Ababa and Abu Dhabi, it was learned. Ethiopian Airlines will commence flights to Abu Dhabi on July 15, while Etihad Airways will begin daily flights to Addis Ababa on October 1. Ethiopian Airlines Group Board Chairman Lieutenant General Yilma Merdassa and Etihad Airways Board Chairman Mohamed Ali Al Shorafa were present at the signing ceremony. CEOs of Ethiopian Airlines Group, Mesfin Tasew, and Etihad Airways CEO Antonoaldo Neves signed the agreement. Speaking at the ceremony, Ethiopian Airlines Group Board Chairman Lieutenant General Yilma Merdassa emphasized the agreement's role in elevating the relationship between Ethiopia and the UAE, highlighting the deep-rooted brotherhood between the two nations. He noted the importance of mutual benefit, ensuring a win-win scenario for both airlines.<br/>

Air India is exploring a fresh multi-billion dollar order for dozens of widebody jets from Boeing and Airbus, industry sources said, furthering the former state carrier's transformation under new owner Tata Group. The deliberations involve 30 to 40 aircraft split between the Airbus A350 and Boeing 777X models, with one source suggesting the potential deal could exceed 50 jets. Details have not been finalised, the sources added. "Things should become clearer closer to the Paris Air Show (in June)," one of the sources said, asking not to be named. An Air India spokesperson said the airline does not comment on speculation. Boeing and Airbus declined to comment. The planned expansion comes on top of a mammoth deal in 2023 for 470 planes from both suppliers and another 100 Airbus jets last year -- but most were for single-aisle aircraft. The latest widebody deal could boost Air India's ambitious modernisation plans to re-capture market share lost to global rivals. The airline has 50 Airbus A350s, 10 Boeing 777Xs and 20 787 Dreamliners on order between the two deals. The potential new order comes as international passenger traffic from India is surging, expected to grow 15-20% in the current fiscal year ending March 31, outpacing domestic travel growth of 7-10%, according to ICRA, Moody's local ratings agency. It also comes as airlines are rushing to get in line for limited production slots of widebody jets after a run on supplies of smaller workhorse narrowbody jets from fast-growing airlines like India's largest carrier IndiGo.<br/>