ETHIOPIAN AIRLINES DEVELOPMENT NEWS

[Skyliner123]

[abnet]

Ethiopian airlines cancels flights due to volcanic ash.

www.2merkato.com

Ethiopian Cancels Flights Due to Volcanic Ash

Wednesday, 15 June 2011

Ethiopian Airlines has temporarily suspended flights to some cities in northern Ethiopia, Khartoum, and Djibouti because of a volcanic eruption at Dubbi, 350 km south of Asmara, the capital of Eritrea, which brought about ash cloud on the southern border of Eritrea.

Local destinations that were suspended because of the ash cloud include Mekele, Gonder, Axum and Bahir Dar. Other airlines like Lufthansa and Fly Dubai have also cancelled flights to Addis Ababa. The Dubbi volcano started erupting early Monday morning.

The eruption has also curtailed U.S. Secretary of State Hilary Clinton's two-day visit to Ethiopia. Clinton arrived in Addis Ababa on Monday but left the same day.
Lufthansa said on its website that it had suspended a flight out of Asmara on Monday and another flight into Addis Ababa. It gave no explanation for the cancellations.

Djibouti announced today that it had closed its airspace and the main airport yesterday due to the ash cloud. Airlines in Djibouti delayed their departures, while arrivals were also postponed.

U.S. officials said they had been informed that Ethiopia was considering shutting down Addis Ababa's international airport as the ash cloud head toward the capital. The Ethiopian Civil Aviation Authority however has not confirmed such plans.

Satellite images suggested Sudanese airspace could also be affected.

Source: The Reporter, Reuters, Bloomberg

[abnet]

Ethiopian airline owned the west african Asky airline targeting long-haul flights

www.2merkato.com


ASKY Eyeing Long-haul Routes
Tuesday, 14 June 2011 14:46 Solomon Ethiopian Business News


Ethiopian Airlines said last week that Lome-based ASKY Airlines, in which it now holds a 40 percent stake, is planning to launch long range flight sercvices,
Tewolde Gebremariam, Ethiopian CEO, said. "Maybe [ASKY] will get a 767 for these new services "We are very close to" formally announcing the start of long-range ASKY operations. ASKY operates three 737-700s and one Bombardier Q400.

ASKY is planning to expand its routes at a time when it is facing stiff competition on routes between Africa and other world regions and foreign airlines such as SkyTeam and Emirates have overcrowded international routes to and from Africa. "Inner-African routes are still better business," Tewolde said.

Ethiopian and future Star Alliance partners Egyptair and South African Airways are considering establishing a carrier in Central Africa, Tewolde said. The carrier can potentially be based in six countries, he said. He said that with its membership in Star, the alliance would become the dominant player in Africa before SkyTeam and Emirates.

Ethiopian is also poised to expand its network by launching another destination in North America when it launches the Addis Ababa-Toronto Pearson flights in December.

At present, it serves Washington Dulles daily from Addis Ababa using a Boeing 777-200LR. Ethiopian Airlines has postponed the launch of Addis Ababa-Damascus service until further notice because of the unrest in Syria.

Ethiopian is expecting the delivery of two new 777 freighters on lease from GECAS by the end of next year. Tewolde noted that 15 percent of Ethiopian's business comes from cargo. He said that modernization of the airline's passenger fleet was proceeding smoothly. Two of 10 new 737NGs [on order] just arrived. Ethiopian has twelve A350s and ten 787s on order. Ethiopian Airlines expects that the first 787 will be delivered in January next year to bring a total of four 787s into service in 2012.

Ethiopian currently operates eleven 767-300s, with eight of the type slated for retirement by 2016. It also operates four777-200LRs, eight 757-200ERs, five 737-700s, five 737-800s and eight Bombardier Q400s.

Source: ATW News

[Yoniii]

Airports Plan 700m Br Projects

The Ethiopian Airports Enterprise (EAE) has declared its intention to invest 700 million Br in various construction and upgrading projects. These projects include the construction of Jimma and Kombolcha airports, according to Wondim Teklu, public relations head of the enterprise. Around 90pc of the EAE initiative, including expansion work to Bole International Airport terminal, has been completed, according to Wondim.

- The Ethiopian Herald, June 5, 2011.

[Skyliner123]

The first Boeing 787 for Ethiopian Airlines is seen in production in front of the 13th 787 for All Nippon Airways on Thursday, June 2, 2011 in Boeing's wide-body plant in Everett, Wash. (Aubrey Cohen/seattlepi.com) | Click picture for photo gallery.

[EriFly]

Ethiopian 787

[abnet]

Nice one thank you EriFly
Ethiopian Air Lines to fly malakal,South Sudan.

Ethiopian launches second flight to South Sudan
Tuesday, 21 June 2011


Addis Ababa, June 20 (WIC) – Ethiopian Airlines today announced the launching of a new flight services to Malakal, the South Sudan, effective June 17, 2011.





The new flight service to the oil rich town of Malakal brings Ethiopian’s destination to the South Sudan to two and the international destination to 62.



“The new flight services to Malakal provide the best connectivity and convenience for business people as well as the general public of the South Sudan,” Tewolde Gebre Mariam, CEO of Ethiopian Airlines, said.





Located in the upper Nile region of the South Sudan, Malakal is increasingly attracting various investments. The airline will provide the new flight services four times a week.





Meanwhile, the airline has resumed flights to Northern Ethiopia, Khartoum and Djibouti, which were suspended due to a volcanic ash clouds since June 15.



In a statement sent to WIC, the airline said that the decision was made on the basis of meteorological forecasts which show that the volcanic ash has cleared from the northern Ethiopia airspace, which was also confirmed by Ethiopian Civil Aviation Authority.
Last Updated ( Tuesday, 21 June 2011 )


2011 , waltainfo.com.

[skytrax]

Great airline!

[Yoniii]

Ethiopia, Spain Sign Air Service Agreement

The Ethiopian government signed a bilateral air services framework agreement with the Kingdom of Spain on Wednesday, June 22, 2011, allowing certain carriers from each to fly to international airports in the other country.

A total of three Spanish carriers would be allowed to fly to the four international airports in Ethiopia: Bole International Airport in Addis Abeba, Dire Dawa International Airport, Alula Abanega International Airport in Mekelle, and Ginbot 20 International Airport in Bahir Dar.

At the same time, the agreement allows Ethiopian Airlines (ET) and other local airlines with similar capacities () to fly to international airports in Spain.

This agreement is part of ET’s 2025 vision of increasing the number of destinations it flies to across the world.

It would also increase trade and investment between the two countries as well as the flow of tourists to East Africa from Spain, a big source and destination of tourist air traffic in Europe, according to Wesenyeleh Hunegnaw (Col), director general of the Ethiopian Civil Aviation Authority (ECAA). By request, ET could fly to destinations in other countries using Spain as a transit route, he claimed.

“In time we will have direct flights between Spain and Ethiopia increasing our countries’ economic relationship,” affirmed Raul Medina Caballero, deputy director general for air transport at the Spanish Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MoPWT).

“The framework agreement allows airplanes to pick up and offload passengers and cargo from Spain and transport them to other destinations and vice versa,” Endeshaw Yigezu, director of air transport and planning at the ECAA, told Fortune. “The two sides can also carry passengers and cargo from a foreign country to Spain and vice versa.”

Not only will this put an end to ET’s detour of flying through Rome, Italy, or Brussels, Belgium, to reach Spain, but it would also avoid double taxation for air traffic between the two countries.

The country also signed air services agreements with Malaysia and Mozambique this fiscal year. The agreement with Spain brings Ethiopia’s air service agreements with other countries to 91.

source

[Simfan34]

I'll be boarding the Iberia flight to Mekele tomorrow.

[EriFly]

Originally Posted by Simfan34

I'll be boarding the Iberia flight to Mekele tomorrow.

Haha... Is there that much demand for Spain-Ethiopia Flights? If there is Iberia would probably code share on Ethiopian Metal.

[Skyliner123]

Originally Posted by EriFly

Haha... Is there that much demand for Spain-Ethiopia Flights? If there is Iberia would probably code share on Ethiopian Metal.

Most flights arriving in Addis these days are transit flights. For example, I often fly to Kenya and Burundy from the US due to my current career. Whenever I fly Ethiopian Airlines, it takes me from the US to Addis first before changing planes for either Kenya or Burundy. Even when I fly Emirates, it usually goes to Addis first.

So if there is a demand for Spanish passangers anywhere in Africa, Ethiopia airlines can carry them via Addis.

[EriFly]

Originally Posted by Skyliner123

Most flights arriving in Addis these days are transit flights. For example, I often fly to Kenya and Burundy from the US due to my current career. Whenever I fly Ethiopian Airlines, it takes me from the US to Addis first before changing planes for either Kenya or Burundy. Even when I fly Emirates, it usually goes to Addis first.

So if there is a demand for Spanish passangers anywhere in Africa, Ethiopia airlines can carry them via Addis.

Oh okay. Thanks for your explanation.

[EriFly]

Last 777 Should be Delivered Soon!

[Simfan34]

The best prospect for Bola and EAL is to become a transiting hub and airline, respectively, much like an African DXB and Emirates.

[abnet]

I think boeing should deliver the 5th and last one of boeing 777-260 this month for Ethiopian Airlines.
On other news Ethiopian airlines start flying to Milan Italy's fashion city

Ethiopian Starts New Services to Milan
Tuesday, 05 July 2011
Addis Ababa, July 5, 2011 (WIC) - Ethiopian Airlines heralded that it has started a new service to Milan five times a week to provide its customers easy and convenient access to Italy’s city of fashion, industry and art.



According to a press release Ethiopian sent to WIC, its maiden flight to Milan took off at 2305 LT from Bole International Airport.



The flight to Milan, the second destination of Ethiopian in Italy, will be every Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays, WIC learnt.



Milan is the second destination in Italy now being served by Ethiopian, where it has been flying to its capital Rome since 1964.



By adding Milan to its network, Ethiopian reinforces the ties between the two countries enhancing trade and investment, the press release emphasized.



The first flight event was held at the Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, VIP Lounge -3 in the presence of his Excellency Mr. Renzo Rosso, the Italian Ambassador to Ethiopia, Mr. Tewolde Gebremariam CEO of Ethiopian Airlines, invited guests and officials of the airline, according to the press realse.



On the launching event, the CEO Mr. Tewolde said, “Our new non-stop service between Addis Ababa and Milan will not only reduce travel time between Ethiopia and Northern Italy but will also create vital connectivity between Africa and Southern Germany, Switzerland, and other Southern European Countries".



His Excellency Ambassador Renzo Rosso on his part stated that the new services to Milan play a major role to enhance the political and economic ties of the two countries.



The commencement of the new service to Milan marks the national carrier’s 63rd destination globally, and its seventh in Europe further enhancing the Airline’s commitment to expand its services, according to the press release.



Ethiopian Airlines, one of the most successful and leading airlines in Africa, made its maiden flight to Cairo in 1946, with the addition of new flight services to Milan, Ethiopian provides dependable services to 63 international destinations spanning four continents, WIC learnt.
Last Updated ( Wednesday, 06 July 2011 )

[DZman]

Addis Ababa, July 10, 2011 (WIC) – Ethiopian Airlines said that despite airplane fuel price hike, its annual revenue grew by 40 percent in 2010/2011 Ethiopian fiscal year.
Ato Tewolde Gebremariam, CEO of the Ethiopian Airlines, told WIC that the year was unique as it was the first year of the implementation of the Airlines’ fifteen years long strategic plan, Vision 2025.
The number of passengers Ethiopian carried in that fiscal year has also grown by 34 percent, the CEO said, adding that the overall performance of Ethiopian shows an upward trajectory.
Ethiopian has 63 international and 17 local flight destinations, he told WIC According to the CEO, flight to Muputo, Banguwi, Hanju, Malacal and Milan was started in 2010/2011 Ethiopian budget year.
The rise of fuel price has become a major burden to the Ethiopian Airlines compelling it to allocate 41 percent of its total costs to fuel, he said.
He also said that despite this serious challenge Ethiopian has performed well, Ato Tewolde said, adding that the success could be tribute to the efforts made by the well trained, motivated, home grown, performance oriented employees of the Airlines.
The cost effective strategy, appropriate and business oriented direction and guidance of the management coupled with the supportive board and government has also a significant contribution for the success, according to the CEO.

so far the new CEO doing a great job
http://www.waltainfo.com/index.php?o...7526&Itemid=52

[Yoniii]

"The number of passengers Ethiopian carried in that fiscal year has also grown by 34 percent" - that's pretty damn impressive!

What's worrying is the price of oil. With fuel representing 41% of total costs, how will we be able to compete with airlines such as Emirates or Qatar airways within Africa? They probably fuel their planes for a ridiculously low price.

[abnet]

The delivery of B787-8 Dreamliner boeing aircraft delayed to March 2012

Ethiopian expects Boeing 787 jet delivery in March
Thursday, 07 July 2011

Addis Ababa, July 7 (WIC) - Ethiopian Airlines expects to receive delivery of Boeing Co.'s (BA) new 787 Dreamliner passenger jets in March 2012, Fikre Degife, the carrier's regional director for China, said Thursday.



Speaking at an aviation conference in Shanghai, Fikre said the delivery had been delayed from December as originally scheduled but "we expect them to come in March.”



The African carrier has ordered 10 787s, of which four were expected in December, Fikre said.



He said the aircraft would be used on routes to China and Europe.



"It will give us the capability to have direct flights into China. It is a long-range aircraft," Fikre added.

[enkelfam]

Originally Posted by abnet

I think boeing should deliver the 5th and last one of boeing 777-260 this month for Ethiopian Airlines.
On other news Ethiopian airlines start flying to Milan Italy's fashion city

Inaugural Flight Malpensa - Addis Ababa



EA Ad - Ethiopian Airlines Cargo