Page 51 - World Airnews Magazine May Edition 2021

AFRICA

ETHIOPIAN TO RESUME ENUGU,

KANO FLIGHTS

By Chinedu Eze

Aviation Group.
Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO Tewolde GebreMariam said,
The management of Ethiopian Airlines has assured passengers “As we celebrate 75 years of excellence, we take stock of our
in the north and southern part of Nigeria that it would return to accomplishments over three quarters of a century. Among the
Enugu and Kano Airports once the new terminals are officially many firsts introduced by Ethiopian are the first Jet aircraft in
declared open for operations, just as the airline marks 75 years of Africa, the first East Africa to West Africa scheduled flight, the
first airline from the Western Hemisphere to fly to China, the first
operation. scheduled service between the capitals of the most populous
Ethiopian Airlines operated a special flight to Malam Aminu nations in the world (from New Delhi to Beijing), the first airline in
Kano International Airport (MAKIA) as part of the gradual process Africa to introduce the B767, B777-200LR, B787 (the Dreamliner)
of re-opening the Airport. and later on the A350 to Africa.
This was made known in a statement signed by the general “Now our industry faces a serious challenge posed by COVID-19.
manager, Ethiopian Airlines, Nigeria, Shimeles Arage. The route we chose to overcome this challenge is to tighten our
Ethiopian Airlines is the only international airline that operates belt, change the way we do business and be agile.
to Akanu Ibiam International Airport (AIIA), Enugu since it was “We remain the only commercial airline that hasn’t sought
gazetted as an international airport. It is also operates in MAKIA government bailout and didn’t lay off a single employee. I would
in Kano. like to take this opportunity to cement our commitment to
With the completion of the new airport terminals and further sustainable aviation and continue to work with all stakeholders to
improvements in COVID-19 situation in Nigeria the federal enhance Africa’s air connectivity.
government has announced a phased reopening of Kano, Enugu “While congratulating all Ethiopian families, I would like to thank
and Port Harcourt airports for international flights . our esteemed customers for their strong vote of confidence, their
With this, Ethiopian Airlines will soon announce schedules for loyalty and support. Ethiopian attributed its success to the four
flight operations to Enugu and Kano. pillars of its growth strategy.
Meanwhile, the Ethiopian Airline Group, the largest Pan-African “These pillars are human resource development, modern fleet,
aviation group, celebrated its 75th anniversary. infrastructure development and technology. It will continue to
Ethiopian made its maiden international flight on April 8, 1946 focus on these pillars with renewed emphasis on sustainability.
to Cairo. Since then, the airline has faced the ups and downs “It will also continue partnering with other African airlines and
of the aviation industry and the challenges unique to Africa to governments to create a robust, competitive airline industry in
become Africa’s largest, most profitable and award-winning Africa by sharing its technical and management expertise.” Q

World Airnews | May Extra 2021
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