Photo Caption:
L-R Lensa Bekele Edossa, Perm.Sec Dr. Ibrahim, Capt. Mikel, Mrs.Firiehiwot Mekonnen, Ms.Tano Onoworemu and Gelane Bedass Shifera at the second daily Ethiopian Airlines inaugural flight to Lagos.
The Federal Government has assured Ethiopian Airlines and other foreign Airlines of support in their operation into the country.
Speaking during Ethiopian Airlines inaugural second daily frequency to Lagos, the Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Dr. Ibrahim Abubakar Kana stated that other foreign Airlines are welcome to operate into the country’s international airports in Abuja, Lagos, Kano, Port Harcourt and Enugu.
Dr. Kana lauded Ethiopian Airlines on the feat of operating 14 weekly flights out of Lagos.
According to him, this was why the Minister did not hesitate in granting the airline request of second daily flight to Lagos.
The Permanent Secretary said Lagos will become a hub for many Airlines thereby making the city the commercial capital of Africa using aviation.
He added that with this development, Nigeria is ready for business.
In her welcome address, the Area Manager of Ethiopian Airlines in Nigeria
Firiehiwot Mekonnen stated that with this second daily flight, Ethiopian Airlines is further dedicating itself to serving Nigerians with more flexibility and affordable flight options .
Mekonnen explained that this additional flight brings Ethiopian Airlines frequency in Nigeria to 31 weekly flights from all stations Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Enugu and 14 weekly flights to/from Lagos with early morning, mid-day and evening departures which makes Ethiopian airlines the most preferred by passengers for its flexible and convenient options.
She said: “With this second daily flight, we can connect all of our 66 African destinations within 12 hours of flight time. There will be no need for layovers as there are instant connections available to Asia, Middle East, India, and Africa & to the rest of 150 global destinations.
We expect that our passengers will take advantage of this second frequency and the opportunity it offers to them”.
The Area Manager noted that with this, ET is willing and able to partner and support travel and tourism in Nigeria.
She stated that the airline has also offered to support inbound and outbound tourism in Nigeria.
In her words: “In the coming months, ET will unfold its plan to support tourism in Nigeria with the recent success of Detty December , Carnival Calabar, Ojude Oba, and Durbar Festivals in Nigeria”.
Mekonnen noted that
the flight will be departing with a full load of 147 passengers in Economy and 8 in Business Class, whe the arriving flight from Addis Ababa came with 114 passengers in Economy and 1 passenger in Business Class.
She said the full load shows Nigerians’ love and support for Ethiopian Airlines.
According to her: “Ethiopian Airlines has been serving Nigeria since independence in 1960, which will mark our uninterrupted and committed operation to Nigeria 65 years in November 2025, and there will be a big celebration to mark this.
We have always been here through thick and thin, through good and bad. Even when other airlines stayed away, we sacrificed to stand side by side with Nigeria, which happened, for example, when Abuja Airport was closed for repairs and it was only Ethiopian Airlines that flew to Kaduna Airport.
Ethiopian Airlines is the first African airline to introduce the first B787 Dreamliner to Africa, the first to fly A350 in Africa and recently the first A350-1000 in Africa specifically to Nigeria as part of our commitment to always give Nigeria the best”.
The Area Manager appreciated the Ministry of Aviation and Aero space development under the leadership of Mr. Festus Keyamo for giving the airline this opportunity to serve Nigeria’s better, including the Nigerian Civil aviation authority and to all their stake holders and partners who had been partners in progress over the years specially their travel agencies, the media, the passengers and Ethiopian Airlines team throughout Nigeria and all the airport community in making this possible .
