Tag Archives: Ethiopian Airlines

Foreign airlines reverse boycott of Kaduna airport as Ethiopian Airlines complete first flight

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Some foreign airlines have reversed their boycott of Kaduna International Airport as alternative aerodrome during the temporary closure of Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA) Abuja, for repair works.

The Guardian learnt that following an inspection of the refurbished Kaduna airport, carriers like Lufthansa have now expressed their intention to fly to Kaduna.

Meanwhile, Ethiopian Airlines’ Boeing 787 Dream Liner was welcomed to a ceremonial water shower Wednesday in Kaduna, to flag off the beginning of Abuja-bound flights diversion and closure of Abuja airport.

Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika, while welcoming Ethiopian Airlines and rounding off inspection of the new terminal, said: “I told Lufthansa in Frankfurt and British Airways that we are in the time of need but not stupid to close down Abuja and open Kaduna. It borders on safety.

“My disappointment was that none of them came to inspect the Kaduna airport to see what we have or don’t have. If they had done so, I would have provided for them what they need.

“Ethiopian Airlines are here today because they came here to inspect. They said, well, your fire cover is Category 7, you need to upgrade to Category 9. They said also your tower is obstructed where it is, is not fair enough, bring in the mobile tower. And I said done, to prove to them that we are ready to please back them.”

Sirika disclosed that the foreign airlines, however, came on March 1 to inspect the Kaduna airport and began to have a change of mind. “They visited Kaduna and saw the amount of work done. They saw the airfield lighting, runway markings and other things we have done. They saw the general ambiance of the security.

“They saw all these and said they would reconsider, sending reports to their headquarters. Most of them have called us that they have considered. One of the airlines (Lufthansa) has said that they will begin next week,” he said.

Managing Director of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Capt. Fola Akinkuotu, said given the level of investment already deployed to Kaduna, “it is better for the airlines and also for commercial reasons, to operate from here.”

In a related development, the House of Representatives yesterday called for urgent acquisition and installation of Instrument Landing Systems (ILS) in all federal airports in the country.

Following a motion by Igariwey Iduma Enwo (PDP, Ebonyi), lawmakers maintained that the equipment would specifically help airlines and airports to continue operations in low visibility conditions such as heavy rain, very low cloud or harmattan haze and at night.

 

Source: The Guardian

Ethiopian Airlines To Operate All-Women Flight On Friday

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The Ethiopian Airlines said it would operate an All-Women flight on its Addis Ababa-Bangkok route on Friday to crystallise its corporate conviction empowering women for sustainable growth.

The airline in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja, said that the flight would be the first of its kind in its 70 years service in the industry.

It said that the “historical flight” would be operated by an all-female crew, to be led by female deck crew members and senior female executives on board.

The statement added that on-ground flight preparations, including cabin operations, airport operations, flight dispatcher, load controller and ramp operations, would also be conducted by women.

According to it, others operations to be handled by the women for the flight are on-board logistics, aviation safety and security, ticket offices, catering, Air Traffic Controllers (ATCs) as well as global call centre.

“It is a great honour for us to have competent women aviation professionals in Ethiopian in every aspect of the aviation field,” the statement quoted the airlines’ Group Chief Executive Officer, Mr Tewolde GebreMariam, as saying.

“This portrays Ethiopian Airlines as a gender responsive organisation that strives to pursue its underlying stance of being an equal opportunity employer.

“We are very proud of their achievements and contributions.

“And, it is our sincere belief that this will continue with an enhanced magnitude and passion to sustain the airline on its fast growth trajectory,” GebreMariam said.

The statement said that the planned Friday all-women operation was an opportunity to inspire young African female students to believe in their dreams to fill the skill gap for aviation professionals.

It pointed out that women were the continent’s greatest untapped resources, adding that the programme was dedicated to engender increase in the number of women in decision-making positions.

“We invite the whole world to watch our all-female operated long haul flight to and from Bangkok.

“It is to recall that Ethiopian Airlines has created a more conducive situation for new mothers, by launching a nursing room equipped with modern amenities, comfortable reclining chairs and refrigerators for the storage of breast milk.

“The fact that female employees comprise 30 per cent of the total Ethiopian Airlines employee population signifies the airlines’ core value of equal opportunity employer,” it said.

 

Credit : PM News