Travellers heading to northern Mozambique will have a new international flight option from late October 2026, with Ethiopian Airlines planning to launch a three-times-weekly service between Addis Ababa and Nacala.
The new route is scheduled to start on 27 October 2026, making Nacala the airline's third destination in Mozambique, alongside Maputo and Beira. For travellers, the main benefit will be another connection between northern Mozambique and Ethiopian Airlines' extensive network via Addis Ababa.
Nacala flights from 27 October
Ethiopian Airlines plans to operate the route on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, using a Boeing 737-8.
The schedule is:
- Addis Ababa (ADD) 09:20 > 12:15 Blantyre (BLZ)
- Blantyre (BLZ) 13:15 > 14:20 Nacala (MNC)
- Nacala (MNC) 15:10 > 20:05 Addis Ababa (ADD)
The outbound service will operate via Blantyre in Malawi, while the return flight is scheduled to operate directly from Nacala to Addis Ababa.
What this means for travellers
The new service should make Nacala easier to reach from destinations across Ethiopian Airlines' network, with a connection in Addis Ababa.
The Blantyre stop is also relevant for travellers combining Malawi and northern Mozambique. Ethiopian Airlines is scheduled to operate the Blantyre–Nacala sector, although travellers should check whether the sector is available for standalone bookings or only as part of an international itinerary.
Nacala is an important gateway to Mozambique's northern coast, although travellers should check the onward transport arrangements for their particular itinerary. The airport is some distance from the coastal resorts and other destinations around the Nacala area.
As the service is currently planned to begin on 27 October 2026, travellers should check the operating schedule and connection times when booking, particularly if combining the flight with other Ethiopian Airlines services.
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