Ethiopian Airlines aims at strengthening its position as one of the leading airlines in Africa

Addis Ababa - Ethiopian Airlines aims at strengthening its position as one of the leading airlines in Africa. It is ready to invest 40 million dollars to purchase five more Boeings 777. The funds, provided by the African Development Bank, go with other private and public allocations for the 10-year development plan that will allow the airline to renew its entire fleet by 2018. The airline, founded in 1945, enjoys a solid international reputation, with crew and maintenance staff that can be compared to those of western airlines. The headquarters are at Addis Ababa airport, one of the foremost hubs in Africa. The development plans of Ethiopian Airlines will soon lead to the hiring of 800 workers, one quarter of whom women.

Ethiopian Airlines Cargo has won the African Cargo Airline of the Year Award for 2011.

The award, organised by the STAT Trade Times, was awarded at the Air Cargo Africa 2011 Conference held in Nairobi, Kenya, on February 24, 201, according to a press release published by the airline.

ET was nominated worldwide by readers of the STAT Trade Times, a monthly publication dedicated to covering the aviation, tourism, shipping, and transport industries, globally.

Ethiopian Airlines has won different prizes, including the NEPAD Transport Infrastructure Excellence Award from the African Airlines Association, in 2009, and the Corporate Achievement Award of Aviation & Allied Business, in 2008, for setting the pace in the development and growth of the African aviation industry. In the same year, it also won the Brussels Airport Company Award for the introduction of new routes and products as well as close cooperation with Brussels Airport in marketing activities.

ET made its maiden flight to Cairo 60 years ago and now flies to more than 39 cities in Africa, and a total of 60 worldwide.

Ethiopian Airlines partners Air Nigeria to Boost Traveling in africa!

In November 2010 Air Nigeria entered into a mutually beneficial codeshare partnership with Ethiopian Airlines. The activation of this codeshare takes effect from today February 22nd 2011.
This partnership between Air Nigeria and Ethiopian Airlines will bring seamless onward connections to Addis Ababa and beyond for Air Nigeria customers and easy connections for ET customers to West and Central African destinations on Air Nigeria. From today 22nd February, customers would be able to purchase their Lagos – Addis Ababa and Addis Ababa – Lagos sectors with Air Nigeria using flight numbers VK1501 and VK1500 respectively.
The codeshare which is now fully operational makes it possible for passengers to access the benefit of the route network of both carriers, giving them access to 15 destinations on the Air Nigeria network and more than 50 destinations on the Ethiopian Airline network.
Air Nigeria understands the impact that convenient air service has on business development and the activation of the codeshare with Ethiopian Airlines will further help to boost trade ties within the African continent. This codeshare is coming on the heels of an existing Technical Agreement between both partners, which provides Air Nigeria with technical support and training. This partnership demonstrates what the future holds for the African aviation industry, when well established African carriers leverage their strengths in mutually beneficial partnerships.
It is worthy of note that Air Nigeria also has an existing and functional codeshare agreement with Kenya Airways to Nairobi, and is in advanced discussions with Delta Airlines regarding a codeshare partnership between Nigeria and the USA.
Air Nigeria is one of the fastest growing airlines in West Africa. From its operational base at the Murtala Mohammed Airport, Lagos, Air Nigeria currently operates to Benin City, Owerri, Port Harcourt, Abuja, Kano, Sokoto and Enugu on the domestic routes while it also operates to Brazzaville, Accra, Douala, Dakar, Monrovia, Cotonou, Banjul, Libreville and Abidjan with further plans to extend services to more African destinations, Europe, Asia and America.