ADDIS ABABA – The Ethiopian Civil Aviations Authority said that the recently resumed Ethio-Eritrea air transport service has made significant contribution for the overall development of the countries’ national economy.
EndeshawYigezu, Air Transport and Planning Director at the Authority told The Ethiopian Herald that the opening of the northern route via Eritrea substantially reduced flight time, aircraft fuel intake and passenger inconveniences of flights from Addis Ababa and other direction.
He said all European flights from Addis Ababa had been forced to use the western route that takes extra time, consume excessive fuel intake and service charges for flying over these routes for the last 20 years. “Not only Ethiopian but also the flights coming from the southern route destined to Europe also benefit from the resumption of air transport services between the two countries,”he added.
He further stated thatan estimated number of more than 15,000 jobs have been created and almost all of the Nation’s tourist destinations across the States of the country are primarily served by air. Ethiopian Airlines, the Award winning and best African airline globally, covers more than 117 destinations worldwide to serve the socioeconomic and political interests of the country apart from business motives, he underscored.
On the other hand, studies indicate that more than 50 percent of the world’s tourists travel by air and Ethiopia has a lot of tourist sites throughout the country and air transport contributes a lot for the development of the tourism sectors, stresses Endeshaw. Now a days Addis Ababa is the center of diplomacy for the rest of the world especially for African countries like that of the other developed countries New York and London.
“If we look at the world centre of diplomacy like that of New York, London and Geneva these all have a well developed air transport system with strong network airlines. Similarly recently Addis Ababa is one of the best destination and Ethiopian is the first choice airlines for all African countries as well as for the rest of the world”, said Endeshaw. According to Endeshaw, over 77,570 domestic and 66,921 international flights has been handled annually by Ethiopian airports.
In addition to this more than 50,530 aircrafts cross over the country’s airspace annually. With all these global and national opportunities and conducive socio-political environment, Ethiopia will benefit more from the air transport in the coming few years, according to Endeshaw.
The Ethiopian Herald, December 22/2018
BY HAILE DEMEKE
