Addis Ababa — Facing strong demand for its services in the Sudan, Ethiopian Airlines is to launch services to Juba, its second destination in the Sudan as of May 1, 2006,the Airline announced in a press release Tuesday.

According to the press release, Ethiopian will serve Juba with four flights a week with same day return flights.

"Ethiopian flight ET813 will depart from Addis Ababa Bole international Airport on Mondays and Fridays at 09:25 and will make a stop over in Nairobi. From Nairobi ET813 will take off at 12:30 to arrive at Juba's International Airport t 14:00. Return flight ET812 will depart Juba the same day at 14:45 to arrive in Addis Ababa via Nairobi at 20:20.

On Wednesdays and Saturdays, Ethiopian flight ET821 will depart Addis Ababa Bole International Airport at 09:25 to arrive in Entebbe at 11:40. From Entebbe ET821 will take off at 13:00 to arrive in Juba at 14:00. Return flight ET820 will depart Juba at 14:45 to arrive in Addis Ababa, via Entebbe at 20:20, for convenient connections to other Ethiopian destinations. All timings are local.

Ethiopian will operate Boeing 737-700 New Generation aircraft to Juba, offering a total capacity of 118 seats -16 in Cloud Nine, and 102 in Economy.

The airline has also said this new service had to do with the country's relations with the Sudan which, it said is flourishing.

In April 2006, Ethiopian will celebrate its 60th anniversary. "Commencement of service to Juba brings Ethiopian destinations in Africa to 29 and to 46 worldwide." Ethiopian has also said that beginning April, 2006, Ethiopian Airlines will fly daily to Kilimanjaro, Dar-es-Salaam and Entebbe, ten times a week to Nairobi, five times a week to Kigali, Bujumbura and Khartoum, and four times a week to Djibouti and Hargiesa.," "The commencement of service to Juba is further evidence of Ethiopian's commitment to serving Africa." the Airline said in the press release.

In related news, Ethiopian was not among the Airlines that have been banned from operating in the 25-member nation organization.

On Wednesday, European Union banned around100 airlines, mostly African carriers from flying in the 25-nation bloc, in a move to boost air security and reassure passengers that European skies are safe.