Ethiopian, Airlines Aviation Group, famously known as Ethiopian, has once again controlled skies with further milestone in airport expansion that helps Bole International Airport to become the largest airport in Africa. The Ethiopian, has given a new impetus to provide world-class services for its transit passengers and tourists.
The 363 million USD worth expansion project consisted of three terminals that meant to international, domestic and VIP flights and all terminals are equipped with high-tech and complex electromechanical facilities, baggage lifting equipment and scanners, suspension bridges, parking slots, surveillance cameras among others.
The inaugural was graced with the presence of Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed, who said that the airline is working hard to maintain its leading role in the continent and becoming competent in the global aviation industry. The Prime Minister also said that the airline has become the national symbol across the globe as a result of its team work with the spirit of Medemer- synergy among all Ethiopian employees for one purpose that is keeping the airline fly higher and higher.
Premier Abiy further stated that the expansion and modernization of the airport would have a key role in maintaining and advancing Ethiopian, leading position in Africa’s aviation business and it is also crucial in boosting the airliner’s competitiveness and attracting more passengers.
While appreciating the job that had been done by the management of the airline and the entire staff, Dr. Abiy has underlined his expectation that the national flag carrier would blossom further in par with the nation’s growing demand. Besides, the Premier reiterated on the need for the airline to pursue on engaging employees in the process of privatization in different modalities so that the latter would grow their sense of ownership and belongingness and exerts maximum effort thereby.
Speaking at the inaugural, Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO, Tewolde GebreMariam has underscored that the executive management and the board have decided to allow employees to own shares of the hotel with the aim to promote a sense of belongingness and as an embodiment of Ethiopian’s growth.
As far as the airline’s support to the national economy and tourism sectors, the CEO said, “Ethiopian, supports our national export economy and strategically stimulates various sectors.” Tewolde added that the airline is spearheading the transformation of Ethiopia’s national logistics sector and growing into Africa’s leading logistics service provider with a joint venture with the global leader DHL Logistics. Answering to the question of many as to how a state-owned firm, in Africa in particular, shines like Ethiopian,, the CEO gave credit to the governments, past and present. He put it as: “I would like to highlight our unique corporate governance as one of the most critical success factors by which the successive Ethiopian governments have demonstrated a great wisdom in allowing the airline to be managed by professional airline managers without any political interference. “This is a rare exception in Africa.
The successive Ethiopian, governments deserve credit for this unwavering commitment and corporate discipline.” Similarly, the Premier has assured the airline that his government will continue supporting the growth without any political interference. It was learnt that the addition of the terminal not only relives the congestion in Addis Ababa Airport, but it would also double the airport annual capacity from the current 12 million to 25 million passengers whilst enabling Ethiopian, to offer technologically advanced service that is on a par with world’s major airports.
The new Ethiopian, Skylight Hotel is a 65 million USD investment and has 373 guest rooms, a biggest such a facility in the country. The hotel comprising spacious executive suits, the largest Chinese Restaurant in Africa, the most distinctive Ethiopian Restaurant and cultural show, and one of the largest complex conference halls that could accommodate around 2,500 people among other amenities.
As Addis Ababa, the running capital, is on the upswing as the world’s gateway into Africa with a massive influx of global passengers, the cutting-edge facility would help catalyse the inbound and outbound mobility. The hotel would also enhance the travel experience of passengers transiting via Addis Ababa Airport and tourists who come to Ethiopian, through the travel packages of ET Holidays, the tour operator wing of Ethiopian, Airlines. In this regard, the new facility would undoubtedly contribute its share to the growth of Ethiopia’s tourism industry by creating favourable environment for traveller’s stay.
Noting that the expansion of Bole Airport is a short time solution to answer the demand of Ethiopian, ever-increasing customers, Dr. Abiy said that the airport’s passenger handling capacity should be significantly increased to remain competitive in the volatile aviation business. Expressing conviction in the above statement, experts in the field said that the airlines should extend investment in the trainings of pilots, technicians and cabin crew as well as modern air transport facilities and logistics.
Maintaining acquisitions of new aircrafts and shares in African carriers as well as creating sub-regional hubs are also worth consideration to remain Africa’s best airline. Ethiopian, major competitors including Fly Emirates are currently building brand-new airports that are even bigger than what they have, the experts said, adding that the flag carrier should give utmost priority to pursue its plan to build a new hub airport so that it could stay in the top of Africa’s aviation industry
Herald FEBRUARY 5/2019
BY BILAL DERSO
