…Boakai Describes Resumption Of Ethiopian Airlines
By: G Bennie Bravo Johnson I
After more than a decade away from Liberia’s airlines, Ethiopian Airlines has officially resumed flights in the country. The Boeing 787-8 flight landed at the Robert International Airport on Saturday, November 30, 2024, from Addis Ababa with 261 passengers onboard which marked a significant milestone in the country’s Aviation industry.
Ethiopian Airlines will touch the Liberian soul three times a week, including, Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday. The airline aims to support Liberia’s socio-economic growth while providing travelers with seamless connections to the rest of the world through the airline’s extensive global network.
Speaking at the inaugural program at the Robert International Airport in Lower Margibi County, President Joseph N. Boakaidescribed the resumption of the Ethiopian flight as a “reopening of air route” in Liberia.
“The arrival of Ethiopian Airlines to Liberia after serious years and decades signifies much more than the reopening of air route. It is a powerful symbol of the two countries’ friendship, natural respect, and a shared African heritage,” he stated.
According to him, the recommencement of the airlines is a boost to Liberia’s aviation industry but signifies the friendship between the two countries. The Liberian leader stated that with the resumption of Ethiopian Airlines, the two nations will share the history of travel, resilience, and trine.
Boakai also described the resumption of the airlines as a testament to the confidence and protection that Liberia has demonstrated in the year of his administration. He explained that the direct flight from Ethiopia to Liberia would open up opportunities, not only for trade and tourism but also to enhance cooperation in areas like education and culture.
President Boakai indicated that the flight would serve as a bridge with closer economic, trade, and tasks between the two countries.
For his part, Lemma Yadecha, Ethiopian Airlines Chief Commercial Officer Ethiopian Airlines said from Addis Ababa has a long-standing history with Monrovia, having integrated its first flight service to Monrovia in November 1966.
He added that since then, Ethiopian has built a legacy based on trust, reliability, and the strong ties between the two nations.
“This endeavoring relationship, both in good and challenging times, continues to fuel our ambition to serve Monrovia and the region,” Yadecha narrated.
The Chief Commercial Officer of Ethiopian Airlines indicated that the mission of the airline is to provide connections to the vast global destinations; saying, that both Ethiopia and Liberia share a unique distinction. “Our nations are blessed with beautiful natural gifts and abundant resources from Ethiopia’s stunning heritage. We are proud to be a part of your legacy,” he noted.
Ethiopian Airlines
Ethiopian Airlines is the flag carrier of Ethiopia,[30][31] and is wholly owned by the country’s government. EAL was founded on 21 December 1945 and commenced operations on 8 April 1946, expanding to international flights in 1951. The firm became a share company in 1965 and changed its name from Ethiopian Air Lines to Ethiopian Airlines.
The airline has been a member of the International Air Transport Association since 1959 and of the African Airlines Association (AFRAA) since 1968.[32] Ethiopian is a Star Alliance member, having joined in December 2011. The company slogan is ‘The New Spirit of Africa.’ Ethiopian’s hub[33] and headquarters are at Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa, from where it serves a network of 155 passenger destinations—22 of them domestic—and 68 freighter destinations.
The airline has secondary hubs in Togo and Malawi.[34][35] Ethiopian Airlines is Africa’s largest airline in terms of passengers carried, destinations served, fleet size, and revenue.[36][37] Ethiopian Airlines is also the world’s fourth-largest airline by the number of countries served.
