* issues ‘free tickets’ to Nigerians
Ethiopian Airlines’ assurance was contained in an emailed statement issued by its Manager, Corporate Communications, Mrs. Hanna Atnafu.
The statement curiously quoted its Country Area Manager Nigeria, Mr. Solomon Begashaw, as saying that the airline would remain with the Nigerian public in good and bad times.
“As a veteran Pan-African carrier, it has always been our source of pride to serve our beloved continent, Africa, both in good and bad times. Our presence in Nigeria dates back to the 1960s, same time the Federal Republic of Nigeria got independence from foreign colonization.
“Ethiopian has been part of Nigeria’s historic growth and always considers itself as a partner in the history and growth of Nigeria as a country. Hence, the management of Ethiopian Airlines wishes to clarify its stance of pursuing its operation to Nigeria and keep Nigerian travelers connected to five continents around the globe.
“As an indigenous Pan-African carrier, Ethiopian Airlines will remain with the Nigerian public in good and bad times like it has always done in the past 50 years. Ethiopian has been in the highs and lows of Nigeria; all through the crisis periods of Nigeria and also during the last economic crisis, providing the link between Nigeria and the outside world there by showing its African solidarity,” Begashaw said.
citizentv.ng reports that the airline currently serves the Nigerian travelers from the four airports of Lagos, Abuja, Enugu and Kano.
The airline also recognises that Nigeria’s resilience and resourcefulness would see her through the temporary recession.
“To reinforce its support to Nigeria, Ethiopian is offering to hire Nigerian pilots for its ever growing fleet of B777,B787,B737 and Dash 8 Q-400 Aircraft, train more Nigerians in its aviation academy, which is the largest in Africa. Besides, Ethiopian Airlines had always served Nigeria with the best aircraft in its fleet like the A350 Airbus, B787 Dreamliner and the B777 wide body.
“In the Spirit of African brotherhood, Ethiopian Airlines does not wish to be in Nigeria only when the going is good, rather, make sacrifices along with Nigerians in this trying time, knowing that Nigerians are resilient and resourceful and will soon come out of the temporary recession,” it read.
Meanwhile, the airline has extended free tickets to Nigerians, who liked Ethiopian Airlines Nigeria Facebook page, as part of its celebration of 70 years of existence.
Again, citizentv.ng reports that the Ethiopian Ethiopian Airlines is the fastest growing airline in Africa.
In its seven decades of operation, Ethiopian has become one of the continent’s leading carriers, unrivalled in efficiency and operational success.
Ethiopian commands the lion’s share of the pan-African passenger and cargo network operating the youngest and most modern fleet to more than 90 international destinations across five continents.
Ethiopian fleet includes ultra-modern and environmentally friendly aircraft such as Airbus A350, Boeing 787, Boeing 777-300ER, Boeing 777-200LR, Boeing 777-200 Freighter, Bombardier Q-400 double cabin with an average fleet age of five years.
citizentv.ng also reports that the airline is the first in Africa to own and operate these aircraft.
It is currently implementing a 15-year strategic plan called “Vision 2025” that will see it become the leading aviation group in Africa with seven business centers: Ethiopian Domestic and Regional Airline; Ethiopian International Passenger Airline; Ethiopian Cargo; Ethiopian MRO; Ethiopian Aviation Academy; Ethiopian In-flight Catering Services; and Ethiopian Ground Service.
Finally, the airline is a multi-award winning airline registering an average growth of 25 percent in the past seven years.
