Despite the withdrawal of foreign airlines and cut down of their frequencies, Africa’s most successful airline said it would continue to service the different destinations it operates to in Nigeria.
Speaking during a press briefing at the Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagos to celebrate the airline’s 70th anniversary on Monday October 24, the country area manager Nigeria, Solomon Begashaw said the airline has no plan or reason to leave the country because it consider itself as a Nigerian carrier.
Ethiopia Airlines currently operates from its hub in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to Lagos, Abuja, Enugu and Kano.
Emirates, one of the biggest foreign airlines operating in Nigeria stopped flight operations to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja with effect from October 22, 2016.
In another development, East African carrier Kenya Airways, has also announced that it will suspend flights to Abuja with effect from November 15, 2016 as part of its restructuring and loss saving efforts.
The Country Commercial Manager (Nigeria) for Ethiopian, Mr. Solomon Begashaw at a media briefing to mark the carriers 56 years of strong presence in Nigeria and 70 years of existence said, “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.”
He stated that the carrier’s presence in Nigeria dated back to 1960, few days after the independence of the country. He maintained that Ethiopian has been an integral part of Nigeria’s historic growth.
Begashaw said, “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 56 years. Ethiopian has been in the high and low 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 our African solidarity.”
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”, Begashaw added.
Ethiopian Airlines serves the Nigerian travellers from four Airports, namely- Lagos, Abuja, Enugu and Kano. To reinforce its support to Nigeria; Ethiopian is offering to hire Nigeria pilots for its ever growing fleet of B777,B787,B737 and Dash 8 Q-400 Aircraft, also 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.
As the Airline celebrates 70 years of existence, it has extended free tickets to Nigerians who liked Ethiopian Airlines Nigeria Facebook page.
He said the vision of Ethiopian airline is to be the leading aviation group in Africa.
Begashaw noted that the airline is a four star airline that offer five star services.
He disclosed that the success of Ethiopian Airlines is predicated on the well dedicated staff and management working round the clock to meet customers’ expectations.
He noted that the airline has no direct government intervention as it is run by board of directors.
He stated that the airline is open to partnership with local Nigerian carriers.
He added that Ethiopian Airlines consists of seven group, like Ethiopian Airlines Cargo, Catering, Ground Handling services among others with the biggest aviation academy in Africa that trains 4000 aviation personnel per annum.
The airline said that it is committed to the Nigerian project and as an African airline, it shares the aspirations and developmental goals of Nigeria as a country.
The Airline management reasserts their commitment at the time other international carriers are either leaving the country or contemplating of doing so due to the current economic recession, and the attendant forex difficulties, while others have cut back their operations in the country.
