Ethiopian Airlines is to launch daily flight to the port of Berbera, Somaliland, starting in July 2012. The airline will start its service to the port city using its Bombardier Q400 aircraft. This latest addition of route to Berbera will increase the flight destination of Ethiopian to 43.

A recommencement of flights to the capital of Somalilad is delayed as the maintenance of the runway at Hargeisa Airport is still underway. Berbera is becoming increasingly important alternative sea trading corridor for the Horn of Africa region.

Ethiopian Airlines launched  its inaugural international flight to Cairo in 1946. Now, the Airline has 65 international destinations linking four continents. Ethiopian has recently joined  the Star Alliance, which covers more than 20,000 daily flights to 1,293 airports in 190 countries. Ethiopian has won numerous accolades for its commitment and role for the development and growth of the aviation industry in Africa and in recognition of its long-distance operations.

Recently, the airline has won the African Airline of the Year 2011/2012 Awards organized by the African Aviation News Portal. Ethiopian also received the 2011 "African Cargo Airline of the Year 2011 Award" for being steadily profitable over the years and for its outstanding air cargo service. It has also won the NEPAD Transport Infrastructure Excellence Awards 2009 and "the Airline of the Year 2009 Award" from the African Airlines Association (AFRAA).

Source: The Ethiopian Herald