Ethiopian Airlines vows to stay with Nigeria in good or bad times

…says it will employ Nigerian pilots

When other foreign airlines are quitting Nigerian routes due to forex restrictions and passenger drought, Ethiopian Airlines, Africa’s toast of the moment, has vowed to stay. The airline has informed its esteemed Nigerian passengers of its decision to continue scheduled operations to and fro the country despite the alarming challenges bedeviling air travel business.

In a statement issued to aviation correspondents, the Country Area Manager Nigeria, Mr. Solomon Begashaw, assured that the airline has always been proud servicing all African routes both in good or 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 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,” Begashaw said.

He added that Ethiopian has been in the highs and lows of Nigeria from the crisis periods of Nigeria down to the current economic crisis, providing the link between Nigeria and the outside world there by showing its African solidarity with the country.

Currently, Ethiopian serves the Nigerian travelers from four Airports -- Lagos, Abuja, Enugu and Kano. 

To reinforce its support to Nigeria in the face of threatening economic malaise, Ethiopian is offering to hire Nigerian pilots for its ever growing fleet of B777, B787, B737 and Dash 8 Q-400 Aircraft. The airline also said it will train more Nigerians in its Aviation academy, which is the largest in Africa.

The statement added: “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.”

As the Airline celebrates 70 years of existence, it has extended free tickets to Nigerians who liked Ethiopian Airlines Nigeria Facebook page.

Ethiopian has a proven integrity in Nigeria, and has always served the country with the best aircraft in its fleet like the A350 Airbus, B787 Dreamliner and the B777 wide body.