The Reporter (Addis Ababa)
Melaku Demissie
11 March 2006
This week Addis has witnessed an additional airline from the Middle East, which had geared up for the launch of operations to Addis Ababa. Emirates Airline, one of the world's fast growing international airlines has officially announced a thrice-a-week service between Dubai and Addis Ababa.
Mr. Nasser Bin Kherbash, senior vice president, commercial operations Africa, told journalists that the Dubai-based airline, which will start operations to Addis Ababa effective March 27, has already recruited Ethiopian nationals to manage its passenger, airport and cargo operations. "Currently, the Emirates team in Addis Ababa comprise 14 Ethiopians, which will be upped to 30-plus Ethiopians in due course."
He said that Addis Ababa will be Emirates' 81st destination on a network which covers 56 countries in five continents. Staring March 27, the airlines will operate three flights a week on the Dubai-Addis Ababa route, which will be enhanced to daily flights from December 1. "Addis Ababa will also be Emirates fourth destination in East Africa." The airline currently serves the region with 28 flights to three gateways, including Nairobi, Entebe and Dar-es-Salam. With the addition of Addis Ababa, Emirates East Africa network will be boosted to four destinations served by 31 weekly flights.
With regard to the aircraft the airlines prepared, Mr. Bin Kherbash said Emirates will operate to Addis Ababa the modern Airbus A 320-200 aircraft offering 12, 42 and 183 seats in first, business and economy class, and a bellyhold cargo capacity of 17 tonnes. "Addis Ababa is an important route for us. Our flights will connect the Ethiopian capital to Dubai and points beyond the Middle East, Europe and the Far East."
According to him, the airlines believes that its services will not only forge strong relations between the two countries, but will also serve the business community by providing increased air links.
Mr. Sudhir Sreedharan, the Emirates manager for Ethiopia, said that as one of the world's most lauded airlines, passengers have high expectations from Emirates. "With Emirates' well established reputation for superior customer service both in the air and on the ground, I am confident that we will meet and exceed the exceptions of our valued Ethiopian customers." Emirates is also in the process of establishing its travel agents network. Ethiopian travelers can book Emirates award-winning service through the Emirates office or via select travel agents.
Mr. Bin Kherbash added that a robust non-oil trade of USD 76.14 million in 2004 bears testimony to Dubai's and Ethiopia's strong trade links. Consumer and capital goods from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are exported in ever increasing quantities to Ethiopia by providing a direct link. Emirates will fuel the trade between the two countries.
The airline officials believe that Ethiopia's predominantly agricultural economy can take advantage of Emirates' 80 global destination network to boost its exports of coffee, cereal, pulses and oilseeds. Likewise, the airlines services will also provide increased connectivity for international tourists keen to explore the East African country and its seven UNESCO World Heritage sites. "I am also confident that the Emirates' new service will promote Ethiopia's tourism industry and help bring in greater number of international tourists," Mr. Bin Kherbash said. For him, this new service is a winner for all: the local economy, the trading community, and the business and leisure travelers.
Emirates flight EK 724 will depart Addis Ababa on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 19:35 hours and arrive at Dubai International Airport at 00:45 hours the following day. Return flight EK 723 will take off from Dubai every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 08:25 hours and arrive in Addis Ababa at 11:30 hours. Preparations are also under way to have the new airline office functional by the start of operations. The centrally located Dembel City Center will be spread over three floors and will house the airline's ticketing, sales, reservations, finance and management departments.
According to information gathered from the airlines, Emirates is wholly owned by the government of Dubai, but is recognized as an international airline of the UAE. The airline is run on a commercial basis and receives no financial support, financial guarantees or protection from the government, which operates an unconditional open skies policy in Dubai. Despite this, Emirates has been profitable in all but its second year of operation. It has launched its operation in October 1985, it was learnt.
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