Flight data recovered from the wreckage of an Ethiopian Airlines jet showed “clear similarities” to another deadly crash of one of Boeing’s top-selling 737 Max aircraft last October, according to the French accident investigator that downloaded the information. Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302, a Boeing 737 Max 8, went down shortly after takeoff from Addis Ababa on March 10, killing all 157 people on board.
That occurred less than five months after a Lion Air jet crashed into the Java Sea in Indonesia during a similar stage in its flight, killing all 189 passengers and crew. Both 737 Max 8 jets were delivered to the airlines just months before their fatal flights.
Following the last Sunday’s accident, many passengers have uttered their flight experience with Ethiopian airlines posting pictures of their fleet. Even after the recent tragic plane crash, passengers are still showing full confidence in Ethiopian Airlines.
“I lived for three years in Ethiopia and flew on Ethiopian many times. I have absolute confidence in their skill and professionalism,” said Evaristus Khotso Masheane, a loyal Ethiopian Airlines passenger responding to Aljazeera’s request for its online viewers and readers to give comment on Ethiopian Airlines.
“Ethiopian Airlines is the pride of Africa!’” The respondent also said the tragic accident won’t change his mind regarding Ethiopian Airlines. “Accidents happen everywhere. I can’t stop traveling with Ethiopian because of what happened; I believe ET is one of the best airlines in the world. I am a loyal Ethiopian traveler. I will travel with them a million times more.”
“Ethiopian Airlines is our pride… We will always support it”, said another customer of Ethiopian. Expressing his condolence for those who passed away due to the crashed plane, he added “Ethiopian Airlines flight is my favorite and I still maintain it.
I pray for those who lost their lives…..I have been traveling with Ethiopian Airlines and I will continue to do so. As it is the best, I can’t stop traveling with Ethiopian.” “We have a lot of confidence in it. That is why some of us were super touched after the crash….but we keep flying.
It doesn’t matter, I always travel with Ethiopian Airlines, accidents happen, and God plans everything. The Airline has served me my entire life of traveling to different places, everything happens by the will of Almighty Allah. We love you Ethiopian, we are with you in thought and prayers.”
“I am a travel agent, Ethiopian Airlines remain among the top five airlines that we sell, God bless them, God keep them and condolences once more to all family and friends that lost their loved ones, may you have peace”, said another. The passengers’ support to Ethiopian Airlines’ safe flight record comes as aviation authorities across the world suspend Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft from flying.
The Ethiopian Airlines which flew 11 million people last year is dubbed Africa’s largest carrier with highly commendable safety record. Ethiopian carries people that connect around the world often using Addis as a jump-off point. The carrier is an airline that passengers and business people regularly prefer to take throughout Africa.
Having four fleets a day from 300 fleets every day at Bole International airport the NairobiAddis route is one of the most popular in East Africa. CNN’s International Anchor and Business Editor at Large, Richard Quest said “it’s one of those airlines that when you have worries about any other… you always say I’ll take Ethiopian.” Aviation Analyst Alex Macheras argued that Ethiopian Airlines is extremely safe airline being the most trusted in Africa.
“Though the plane crash had broken our hearts, we are serving our customers as usual without any delay. Side by side, we are also comforting the families of victims” said Tewolde Gebremariam, Chief Executive Officer of Ethiopian Airlines. Speaking to the media last week, Tewolde said the fatal plane crash has not affected the airlines’ scheduled flights.
“Everything is going on as usual. Still, the airport is filled with passengers; they still prefer Ethiopian despite the tragedy as we have a commendable record when it comes to safety. “Our passengers build trust on Ethiopian and our pilots.
They are always amazed by our pilots’ ability during landing and takeoff,” he said. “Despite Sunday’s crash, flights have continued as per schedule. As far as we are concerned the plane crash has no connection with our safety record, even though the cause is under investigation.”
Herald March 21/2019
BY GIRMACHEW GASHAW
