By Friday Nwosu
Despite the forex crisis bedevilling Nigeria’s aviation industry and the current economic challenge facing the country, Ethiopian Airlines, the largest and the leading Pan-African airline has informed its esteemed passengers that it will continue its schedule operations to Africa’s most populous country.
Already carriers like United Airlines, Iberia Airlines have since pulled out of the country while others like Emirates Airlines had scaled down its operation and have also stopped its Abuja operation. Kenyan Airways has also stopped its Abuja operation. While British Airways had, had to change its fleet type to cope with the present crisis.
But Ethiopian Airline has stated that it remains committed to its esteemed passengers in Nigeria and is not thinking of pulling out of the country it has operated into for 56 years.
Mr. Solomon Begashaw, Country Area Manager Nigeria, remarked, “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 1960’s, 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.”
Currently, Ethiopian serves the Nigerian travelers from four Airports of Lagos, Abuja, Enugu
and Kano. 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.
