Numerous international travelers are witnessing the growing impact of the Ethiopian Airlines (Ethiopian) in the aviation industry. Over the past consecutive years, Ethiopian has continued to be one of the top leading airlines in the world and received a number of prestigious awards.
The awards have been given following its priority for quality air transportation. Besides the quality services it is rendering, its welcoming hospitality and amiable vibe, plus the different types of packaged services, among others enable the Airline to gain international attention. Different international media have also recognized that it is the fastest growing Airline in Africa.
According to Airline’s webpage, in its seventy-five plus years of operation, Ethiopian has become one of the continent’s leading carriers, unrivalled in efficiency and operational success. Ethiopian commands the lion’s share of the Pan African passenger and cargo network operating the youngest and most modern fleet to more than 130 international passenger and cargo destinations across five continents.
The page further elaborated that Ethiopian’s fleet includes ultra-modern and environmentally friendly aircraft such as Airbus A350, Boeing 787-8, Boeing 787-9, Boeing 777-300ER, Boeing 777-200LR, Boeing 777-200, Boeing 737-800, Boeing 737-8, Freighter, Bombardier Dash 8-400 double cabin with an average fleet age of seven years.
Ethiopian is a multi-award-winning airline registering an average growth of 25 percent in the seven years prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. It is clear that one of the most important economic benefits of air transport is its spin-off effect on other industries. The tourism industry is one in this regard. The tourism sector depends on transportation to bring visitors, while the transport industry depends on tourism to generate demand for its services.
Thus, the Ethiopian Airlines has been playing an immense role in promoting the country’s tourism potential and advancing the flow of foreign visitors to its world-famous attraction sites, According to Mesfin Tasew, CEO of the EthiopianAirlines. The CEO told the Ethiopian Press Agency (EPA) that the Airline’s direct flights to different parts of the world are proving successful in advancing the flow of international tourists.
Apart from its task of carrying tourists to attraction sites, Ethiopian is partnering with relevant actors including the Ministry of Tourism (MoT), travel agencies and tour operators to promote the country’s tourism opportunities globally.
Recalling the negative impacts of the COVID-19 in the tourism industry, the CEO indicated that the world’s recovery from the pandemic has revived the sector and enhanced the flow of tourists. In this regard, the Ethiopian Airlines is playing a due role in bringing tourists to the country.
“The Airline is also serving as a bridge between Ethiopia and international tourists and it books tickets and brings visitors here. It employs domestic flights to bring visitors from Addis Ababa to tourist attraction sites and supports the tourism industry by providing reliable transport services.”
Furthermore, Ethiopian has also developed a website to provide adequate information about the country’s tourism potential for its large customers. The CEO further noted that to increase the number of visitors, the Airlines works together with foreign tour companies and travel agents and provides various incentives to send tourists to Ethiopia. “Travel agents, tour companies and the Ethiopian Airlines are making a joint effort to bring tourists to the country.”
Ethiopia has untapped tourism potential though the sector is challenged by limited infrastructure, inadequate promotion and peace and security challenges in some parts of the country. To exploit the potential, the government has a big responsibility in filling the infrastructure gap and ensuring law and order whilst extensive promotional activities are something worth equal consideration, he advised.
Mesfin promised that Ethiopian would step up its cooperation with travel agencies, tour operators and other actors to increase tourist inflow and promote the country’s positive image at large. Moreover, Human capital development is the other key pillars in Ethiopian Airlines growth strategic road map. Recently, the Ethiopian Aviation University graduated 1,551 aviation professionals, the highest in its history, in Pilot Training, Aviation Maintenance, Commercial, Cabin Crew Schools, and Hotel Operation.
During the occasion, it was indicated that, out of the 1,551 graduates, 895 are females; and aviation professionals from seven African countries are part of the graduation. Accordingly, the Airline has been undertaking various projects so as to sustain its state of the art services in the aviation industry. The Airline has announced that preparations are underway to start the construction of the new “Airport City” mega project in the current fiscal year.
As the CEO stated to local media in relation to the scheme, more than 5 billion USD budget has been allocated to build the “Airport City” mega project. The project is expected to be completed within the coming five years. It is said that this project, which will be built in Oromia State, will have modern hotels, a duty-free shopping center and a cargo logistics center.
The Airline has finalized a study through a company in France to start the construction, and it is working closely with the Oromia State to start the construction of the project, he stated. Mesfin said a tender will be issued to companies that will design the project and it will start the construction activity in the current fiscal year once the completion of the preparatory work is finalized,
In sum, as Ethiopia is one of the landlocked countries, air transport is an option that it uses to connect with the outside world. Thus, the international tourists prefer the Ethiopian Airlines to discover the amazing natural and cultural attractions of the country.
Currently, Ethiopian Airlines has gained momentum through gaining international praise for its outstanding services. Its growing numbers of worldwide destinations have given the opportunity to make Addis Ababa a center of transit for international travelers which gives an opportunity to promote the nation’s untapped tourism potential.
BY TEWODROS KASSA
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD FRIDAY 18 AUGUST 2023
