ETH makes fifth freedom flight in Europe
Star Alliance member Ethiopian Airlines can now sell tickets on the route between Manchester and Geneva. The airline secured the rights as part of the new connection between Addis Ababa – Geneva – Manchester.
Among lovers of Fifth Freedom flights, Ethiopian Airlines is most likely a household name. The airline from Ethiopia connects as part of a Fifth Freedom Flights the Scandinavian capitals Oslo and Stockholm with each other almost every day. Another Fifth Freedom flight is to be added in winter. The airline is allowed to sell airline tickets on the routes between Manchester and Geneva, as among others JustFly reported.
Within Europe by long-haul aircraft
Shortly before the start of the winter flight schedule, namely from October 28, 2022, Ethiopian Airlines will connect Addis Ababa and Manchester with a stopover in Geneva. This is a completely new flight route, but it may bring back memories. Even before the pandemic, namely since December 2018, the Star Alliance member has been flying to Manchester, also not directly, but with a stopover in Brussels. From July 2020, the airline wanted to fly to Manchester from Addis Ababa by direct flight, but the airline had to discontinue these plans prematurely due to the global pandemic, so the airline continues to fly to Manchester with a stopover in Brussels with a Boeing 787-9. On October 28th, the switch to the route via Geneva will take place. The flights take place at the following flight times:
- ET728 | Geneva – Manchester | Departure: 07:15 Arrival: 08:05
- EZ729 | Manchester – Geneva | Departure: 18:50 Arrival: 21:40
The flight days run on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. Also four weekly flights, as before on the Brussels-Manchester route.
And what is so special about this flight? Simply the fact that Ethiopian Airlines uses or has to use a long-haul aircraft on this route. A number of advantages await you on board, which are not granted to you on a flight within Europe. Each seat on board the Dreamliner, regardless of travel class, has its own in-flight entertainment system. Here you can watch films and series as usual. travelers in the business class They also have the great advantage of finding themselves on a seat that converts into a fully flat bed. There is hardly a more relaxed way to fly within Europe.
What exactly is the fifth freedom?
The fifth freedom, which this flight example is about, states that an airline may transport passengers or cargo between two foreign countries as long as the start or end point of the journey is in the home country. It can also be seen as an extension of the second freedom, i.e. the right to stopovers for non-commercial purposes (fuel stop, technical stopovers), so that one can now also make a stopover for commercial purposes, in order to transport passengers or cargo only to part of the promote entire journey.
Because of these rights, a large number of Fifth Freedom flights take place within Europe, such as the Singapore Airlines flight between Milan and Barcelona. Regardless of the new Ethiopian Airlines route, we have presented you with several routes on which airlines use long-haul aircraft on flights within Europe:
Conclusion on the new Fifth Freedom flight from Ethiopian Airlines
Considered completely soberly, Ethiopian Airlines will henceforth operate this flight via Geneva due to the existing routing to Manchester. Only for aviation enthusiasts does this flight represent something special. The possibility of flying within Europe on a long-haul aircraft is a reason for some enthusiasts to book this flight.