Ethiopian Airlines - Afrikan Heroes

Ethiopian Airlines Launches Africa’s First IATA Travel Pass Trials

April 28, 2021

Ethiopia Airlines has announced that it will be trialing IATA’s Travel Pass – a digital health passport that will make the verification of COVID-19 tests and vaccinations easier for the carrier. The Airlines is now the first African carrier to run through a test of the mobile app, joining other airlines such as Emirates, SWISS, Singapore Airlines, and more.

Mr. Tewolde GebreMariam, Group CEO of Ethiopian Airlines

“Ethiopian has gone digital in all of its operations to avoid physical contact and combat the spread of the pandemic and now, embarks on this initiative which will allow passengers to relish unparalleled flight experience.” -Ethiopian Airlines official statement

The IATA Travel Pass, which will help verify the authenticity of test information presented by travelers, will be used by Ethiopian Airlines on two flights out of Addis Ababa Bole International Airport (ADD):

Washington D.C. – Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)

Toronto – Lester B. Pearson International Airport (YYZ)

For flights to Addis Ababa, two airports will participate in this trial:

London Heathrow (LHR)

Toronto – Lester B. Pearson International Airport (YYZ)

The airline notes that this was effective as of April 25th, 2021, meaning that the trial is already underway.

Ethiopian flights to Toronto and Washington include technical stops, but this has not been included in the map to reduce confusion.

According to Mr. Tewolde GebreMariam, Group CEO of Ethiopian Airlines says that digital technology is vital to solving many of the problems that arise from the pandemic, “We are glad that we are offering new digital opportunities to our passengers so as to fully and safely restart air travel. Our customers will enjoy efficient, contactless and safer travel experience with their travel pass digital passport. As a safety first airline, we have become the first African airline to trail IATA’s travel pass initiative to facilitate travel.”

For those still unfamiliar with IATA’s Travel Pass, the mobile app is designed to be a digital health passport of sorts, which will receive test and vaccination certificates and verify that they are sufficient for the traveler’s specific route.

The app will share testing or vaccination certificates with airlines and authorities to facilitate travel. “The digital travel app will also avoid fraudulent documentation and make air travel more convenient,” the airline’s official messaging adds.

Meanwhile, Nick Careen, IATA Senior Vice President for Airport, Passenger, Cargo, and Security, hopes that Ethiopian’s leadership will lead to other carriers on the continent following suit. As part of the airline’s official statement, Careen urges governments in Africa to “accelerate the acceptance of digital health credentials for travel across the continent.”

Kelechi Deca

Kelechi Deca has over two decades of media experience, he has traveled to over 77 countries reporting on multilateral development institutions, international business, trade, travels, culture, and diplomacy. He is also a petrol head with in-depth knowledge of automobiles and the auto industry

Ethiopian Airlines China Flight Ban Extended Until End Of The Year

November 6, 2020

Expectations by Africa’s largest airline that its flight ban from Addis Ababa to Shanghai Pudong, China would be lifted hits the rock as the Chinese authorities extended the ban. Ethiopian Airlines has had the ban on its flight China’s commercial hub which has been in force for the last five weeks, but Chinese authorities agreed to an extension as more passengers have tested positive for COVID-19. The ban continues until at least January 1st, 2021. Ethiopian Airlines has had its five-week ban extended by an additional four weeks after 11 new COVID-19 cases were found on its flight to China.

Ethiopian Airlines received its first temporary suspension way back in August after six people tested positive. However, the ban lasted just one week. China enforced the second ban because five passengers on flight ET684 on October 6th tested positive for COVID-19. Another ten tested positive a week later on October 13th. Starting from October 26th, the ban was set to last just five weeks.

However, another 11 passengers have now tested positive on October 20th. This means Ethiopian Airlines is responsible for transporting at least 32 COVID-infected people into China since August. As a result of the latest tests, the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) has added four weeks to the original five-week ban. As a result of the ban, Ethiopian has delayed the launch of its new flight connecting Addis Ababa with Beijing until January 1st, 2021. This will come as a devastating blow to those stranded, who have been waiting months already to make their way home. Ethiopian was set to launch a new route to Beijing later this year. Because of the ban, it has delayed the launch. Photo: Ethiopian Airlines

The Chinese Authorities have set some very clear rules and policies when it comes to giving out suspensions. Firstly, any flight can be suspended for one week if five individuals on the same flight test positive on arrival in China. If the number of positive on the same flight reaches ten, the suspension can last four weeks. The new policy came into effect in June and is referred to as a “circuit breaker” policy. The aim is to prevent other infectious passengers from arriving. As well as introducing flight bans, the new policy restricts the number of flights arriving in China.

Initially, foreign airlines can only operate one route into the country once a week. Airlines can earn more regular flights if they consistently have zero positive cases on flights. After three consecutive weeks of no positive tests, foreign airlines can up their flights to twice weekly. Therefore, the policy lends itself to benefit airlines that require negative tests before boarding or those that originate in countries with a low number of cases.

So far, China has been pretty consistent in enforcing its policy across both foreign and domestic airlines. Flights operated by China Eastern Airlines, Russian carrier Aeroflot, Etihad Airways, Juneyao Air, and Sri Lankan Airlines have all been temporarily banned. According to CH-Aviation.com, even more bans are expected to occur this week, including an Emirates flight to Guangzhou and tow China Southern flights to Dhaka and Manila.

It’s highly likely that Ethiopian won’t be the last airline to receive a ban. Although, at the moment, it has certainly received the longest ban. China is clearly taking repeat offending very seriously.

Kelechi Deca

Kelechi Deca has over two decades of media experience, he has traveled to over 77 countries reporting on multilateral development institutions, international business, trade, travels, culture, and diplomacy. He is also a petrol head with in-depth knowledge of automobiles and the auto industry

Why the privatisation of Ethiopian Airlines was suspended

October 16, 2020

Ethiopian Minister of Finance Ahmed Shide

The Ethiopian Airports Enterprises, parent company of Africa’s largest flag carrier, Ethiopian Airlines has temporarily suspended the planned partial privatization of the Ethiopian Airlines. This follows a recent review of the Airlines by the government. The plan to suspend the partial privatization was announced by the Minister of Finance Ahmed Shide. The Minister noted that the airline company has continued to generate much needed foreign currency for the country amid the pandemic.

Ethiopian Airlines is one of the few to stay relatively stable, largely due to a shift from passenger flights to cargo as countries closed their airspaces. It changed 27 of its passenger planes into freight transportation.

Partially privatising Ehiopian Airlines was part of the economic reforms ushered in after Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed came to power in 2018. But now, it says that Africa’s largest airline will remain, for now, in the hands of the government.

Analysts say that the government is cautious about rushing into privatization of the Airline at this period especially as efforts are being made to push the economy towards recovery especially as the Airline plays a very important role in the country’s economy being the largest employer of labour in the country.

Kelechi Deca

Kelechi Deca has over two decades of media experience, he has traveled to over 77 countries reporting on multilateral development institutions, international business, trade, travels, culture, and diplomacy. He is also a petrol head with in-depth knowledge of automobiles and the auto industry

Ethiopian Airlines unveils global COVID-19 insurance cover

October 7, 2020

Africa’s leading commercial carrier, Ethiopian Airlines Group has announced as part of efforts aimed to protecting its millions of passengers from the ravages of the Covid-19 pandemic that it will cover the medical insurance including repatriation, evacuation and quarantine costs related to COVID-19 as of 01st of October 2020 until 31st of March 2021. The coverage is applicable on all Ethiopian’s international flights booked with the airline’s tickets.The global cover dubbed Sheba Comfort is part of the airline’s extra security measures to protect passengers and ensure that they travel with peace of mind.

Passengers will have their medical expenses up to EUR 100,000 covered if they are diagnosed with COVID-19 during their travel in addition to quarantine costs up to EUR 150 per day for a maximum of 14 days. Sheba Comfort also includes repatriation and evacuation services whenever needed besides 24/7 assistance through the airline’s hotline.

Remarking on the global cover, Ethiopian Group CEO, Mr. Tewolde GebreMariam, said, “We are glad to be among the pioneer global airlines to introduce this extra security measure and provide global cover for COVID-19 with a view to boost passengers’ confidence. Our Sheba Comfort insurance scheme is part of the measures we have been taking to ensure the health and wellbeing of passengers on the ground and onboard. As the travel safety continues to evolve by the day, we will always be at the forefront of adopting all necessary changes to ensure the safety of our passengers as our top priority.”

The Sheba Comfort insurance scheme, introduced in collaboration with AXA Partners and Awash Insurance Company, is valid for 92 days for round trip and 31 days for one-way trip. It is to be recalled that Ethiopian recently unveiled an ultra-modern, spacious passenger terminal which is completed with emphasis on biosecurity and biosafety measures

Kelechi Deca

Kelechi Deca has over two decades of media experience, he has traveled to over 77 countries reporting on multilateral development institutions, international business, trade, travels, culture, and diplomacy. He is also a petrol head with in-depth knowledge of automobiles and the auto industry

Ethiopian Airlines Plans to Rescue South African Airlines

October 5, 2020

CEO of Ethiopian Airlines, Tewolde Gebre Marium

Efforts aimed at rescuing South African Airways got to a head with Ethiopian Airlines offering to supply South African Airways with planes, pilots and maintenance services as part of a new venture with the South African government. This was made known by the CEO of Ethiopian Airlines, Tewolde Gebre Marium who said that they’re looking at providing operational assistance but aren’t interested in “helping with debt repayments or the cost of reducing the workforce”.

“We don’t want to deal with the legacy issues — the debt, labour claims and so on because that is very difficult for us not only in terms of financial outlay but also in terms of managing the restructuring,” says Gebre Marium. “We want to make it very easy for them to start the airline by providing aeroplanes, by providing expertise, pilots, technicians, leadership.”

SAA, which has been under bankruptcy protection since the end of 2019, is in need of roughly $600 million to refund tickets and pay severance packages to nearly 4000 former employees. In early March, Ethiopian Airlines CEO Tewolde Gebre Marium told an aviation conference in Addis Ababa that the coronavirus pandemic was “a temporary problem” – comparable to a natural disaster or a spike in oil prices.

Across Africa, airlines stand to lose $6 billion in passenger revenue in 2020 compared to last year because of the coronavirus, the International Air Transport Association has predicted. Ethiopian Airlines has been praised by top Washington and Tokyo officials for repatriating their nationals – including US Peace Corps volunteers based in 12 countries across the continent. With the severity of the crisis becoming clear, Ethiopian executives “reached out to the diplomatic community to offer further cargo services and highlight their ability to offer chartered/special flights”, a State Department official said. At this point the airline has “supported the transport of over 2,100 US citizens and legal permanent residents” to the tune of around $4.7 million, the officials said.

The airline is expecting to be involved in a critical capacity in Africa’s pandemic response. Tewolde said this represented “a continuation of our leadership in Africa” even during periods of conflict or outbreaks of other diseases like Ebola. “All kinds of problems that Africa has suffered, we have always stood with Africa,” he concludes.

Kelechi Deca

Kelechi Deca has over two decades of media experience, he has traveled to over 77 countries reporting on multilateral development institutions, international business, trade, travels, culture, and diplomacy. He is also a petrol head with in-depth knowledge of automobiles and the auto industry

Ethiopian Airlines Opens New Multi-million Dollars World Class Terminal at Addis Ababa Airport

August 28, 2020

As part of its bigger dreams of expanding its global hub at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, Africa’s leading airline, Ethiopian unveils its new Aviation Infrastructure, the first of its kind in Africa by blending Modernity with Bio Safety.

Ethiopian Airlines Group has successfully completed a new passenger terminal at its hub Addis Ababa Bole International Airport with emphasis on Bio Security and Bio-Safety measures.

The new terminal has check-in hall with 60 check-in counters, 30 self-check-in kiosks, 10 self-bag drop/SBD/, 16 immigration counters with more e-gate provisions, 16 central security screening areas for departing passengers are the new faces of the airport. In addition, it has three contact gates for wide-body aircraft along with 10 remote contact gates with people mover – travellator, escalator, and panoramic lifts. It will house 32 arrival immigration counters with eight e-gate provisions at the mezzanine floor level.

Regarding the expanded infrastructure, Mr. Tewolde GebreMariam, Group CEO of Ethiopian Airlines remarked, “I am very pleased to witness the realization of a brand-new terminal at our Hub. While Addis Ababa Bole International Airport has overtaken Dubai to become the largest gateway to Africa last year, the new terminal will play a key role in cementing that position. What makes the new terminal unique is that it’s the first terminal in the world to be completed after Covid-19. It was designed, not re-purposed, with Biosafety and Biosecurity in mind. I’m sure our esteemed customers will highly appreciate that.”

Aviation infrastructure expansion is one of the core pillars of Ethiopian’s Vision 2025. Ethiopian is continuously working on expanding airport facilities. The features of the new airport play a key role in protecting passengers’ and employees’ safety as airport experience becomes contactless.

Kelechi Deca

Kelechi Deca has over two decades of media experience, he has traveled to over 77 countries reporting on multilateral development institutions, international business, trade, travels, culture, and diplomacy. He is also a petrol head with in-depth knowledge of automobiles and the auto industry

Kenya Airways Protests Government’s Deal with Rival Ethiopian Airlines

April 15, 2020

Kenya Airways chief executive officer Allan Kilavuka

The management and staff of Kenya Airways are protesting a business deal entered into between the Kenyan government and rival Ethiopian Airlines aimed at allowing the Ethiopian to operate passenger planes grounded by the coronavirus for shipment of cargo from the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport ( JKIA) in Nairobi to Europe and Asia.

The loss-making Kenya Airways has said the new deal will give the rival carrier undue advantage in a period when Kenya has frozen international passenger travel in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak, leaving cargo as the only revenue driver.

On April 6, the Ministry of Transport allowed Ethiopian Airlines to vary its licence for passenger planes and use six aircraft to ferry cargo from Nairobi and Mombasa to overseas at a time when carriers are charging a premium for the service.

Kenya Airways is worried that Ethiopian Airlines will take a huge chunk of the business of shipping flowers, fresh fruits, vegetables like green beans and peas as well as meat that have become increasingly scarce in Europe as the coronavirus pandemic hampers the global movement of produce.

Kenya Airways chief executive officer Allan Kilavuka said the carrier was not consulted on the impact that the Ethiopian Airlines deal would have on its business

The national carrier is banking on the cargo business, which generates about Sh11 billion annually, to pay salaries and utilities like security, water and electricity.

“We have objected the move to have Ethiopian Airlines use their passenger flights for cargo business in Kenya because we were not consulted on the impact that this would have on our business,” said Mr Kilavuka was quoted as saying.

Mr Kilavuka was of the view that Kenya Airways should have been consulted before varying Ethiopian Airlines licences, arguing that JKIA is the hub of the national carrier.

“Anytime you have a carrier wanting to come to your domain, you need to be consulted so that you are not disadvantaged at your main market,” he said.

The State suspended all cross-border passenger flights on March 22, stopping the airline’s foreign flights. The order effectively cut off Kenya Airways’ flow of new revenues at a time when it had no cash reserves.

Last Monday, the government also barred movement into and out of four counties including Nairobi, Mombasa, Kwale and Kilifi, forcing Kenya Airways to ground flights and hinge its survival solely on cargo business.

So far, the loss-making Kenya Airways has sought a multibillion-shilling government bailout after the grounding of its planes.

Without State aid, the airline risks running out of money in the near future against the back- ground of banks’ uneasiness in lending to Africa carriers.

KQ has now warned that the Ethiopian Airlines deal will worsen its cash flow.

Kenya on April 6 allowed the profitable Ethiopian Airlines to modify six passenger planes for shipment of cargo from Nairobi and Mombasa.

“Reference is made to your letter… this is to advise you that approval is granted to Ethiopian Airlines to operate as cargo flights from April 3 to October 25,” says a letter signed by Director of Air Services, Nicholas Bodo.

The carrier has already received permission from the aviation regulator, the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA), to start operating the cargo service. Most cargo airlines have pulled out of the Nairobi route following the outbreak of coronavirus across the world.

The withdrawal has created a gap for cargo transport despite high volumes of freight needed for the European market where Kenya sells over 80 percent of horticulture produce.

Ethiopian Airlines has maintained restricted passenger services. The planes flying cargo from JKIA are charging more, encouraging the likes of Ethiopia Airlines to seek a larger piece of the market.

Operators have tripled the price per kilo of produce to $3 in the two weeks to end of March, according Hosea Machuki, head of the Fresh Produce Exporters Association of Kenya, which represents 117 growers and exporters.

While governments from Kenya to South Africa are struggling to turn around loss-making State-owned airlines through restructuring or by bringing on board private partners, Ethiopian Airlines has bucked the trend.

It posted operating revenue of $3.9 billion (Sh395 billion) in its 2018/19 financial year, up from $3.3 billion (Sh334 billion) a year earlier. Its net profit also rose to $260 million (Sh26.3 billion) from $207.2 million (Sh21 billion) from its 143 destinations where it carried 12.14 million passengers.

In contrast, Kenya Airways reported revenue of Sh114.45 billion for the year to December 2018, up from Sh106.17 billion a year earlier. It narrowed its pretax loss to Sh7.59 billion from Sh9.44 billion in a year it carried 4.84 million passengers in 54 destinations.

Kenya Airways problems have been linked to a mix of increased competition, corruption, mismanagement and a previous debt binge that continues to weigh heavily on its balance sheet.

Kelechi Deca

Kelechi Deca has over two decades of media experience, he has traveled to over 77 countries reporting on multilateral development institutions, international business, trade, travels, culture, and diplomacy. He is also a petrol head with in-depth knowledge of automobiles and the auto industry

Covid-19 Crisis Hits Ethiopian Airlines

April 7, 2020

Africa’s biggest and most successful airline is the latest to be hit by the Covid-19 crisis as the airline ask employees to take unpaid leave. The request comes as Ethiopia reports its first death from COVID-19. Sources say that the Airline is terminating the contracts of temporary employees while permanent staff members are being asked to take all their annual leave and up to 90 days of unpaid leave.

Officials of the airlines said it has to make tough decisions regarding the future of its 8,000 employees. As the airline comes under more pressure to cancel flights and prevent the spread of the virus, it is trying to minimize costs. A letter sent to employees this week read “you are hereby granted 90 consecutive days of leave without pay which will be in effect from April 03, 2020 to July 2nd 2020 after you exhaust all accrued and prorated vacation days”. However, the airline has refuted the rumors of unpaid leave by saying, “As our flights to over 87 destinations suspended and over 80 of our fleets are grounded, we have instructed some of our workers to take a paid leave”. According to the same letter, the airline does not want to terminate any jobs but is simply asking for staff to take leave.

The airline seems to be following in the footsteps of most other carriers in trying to preserve jobs in the long run. It is increasing the number of cargo flights it is operating in an attempt to offset losses. It is also taking the time to undertake some aircraft maintenance as well as operating repatriation flights. The airline operates flights to around 80 destinations and is well-placed to use its network to ship goods around the world, as well as repatriating stranded travelers. Operations have already been reduced to just 30 countries due to travel restrictions. Because of these other sources of revenue, some are suggesting the airline could do more to offer employees compensation.

Ethiopian has yet to comment on whether it will be asking employees to take voluntary early retirement or long-term leave packages. The airline grew rapidly over recent years investing in aircraft leases, terminal expansions, and network changes. However, the airline’s fatal Boeing 737 MAX crash last year marked the start of a difficult period. While the crash led to the eventual grounding of the 737 MAX aircraft around the world, the airline’s own safety record was also called into question. Some even said the airline was sacrificing safety standards in order to facilitate growth. Ethiopian was relying on its order of 25 MAX aircraft to allow for further growth.

Now, as Ethiopia experienced its first death from coronavirus, travel restrictions are no doubt going to get stricter. Although Ethiopian is doing all it can to keep flying, it may find its operations restricted further. Finding the right balance between compensating employees and keeping the airline afloat is going to be difficult. Hopefully, it can find a way to help employees during this difficult time. The airline has not yet responded to our request for comment.

Kelechi Deca

Kelechi Deca has over two decades of media experience, he has traveled to over 77 countries reporting on multilateral development institutions, international business, trade, travels, culture, and diplomacy. He is also a petrol head with in-depth knowledge of automobiles and the auto industry

Ethiopian Airlines Upgrades, Promises Awesome Passenger Experience

September 11, 2019

Ethiopian Airlines, Africa’s fastest growing airline and one of the world’s most profitable airlines has started series of upgrades aimed at giving passengers to top class experience. Operating at the forefront of technology, Ethiopian Airline with the tag line –The New Spirit of Africa- has become one of Ethiopia’s major industries and a veritable institution in Africa. The Airline has continued in its efforts to create regional hubs across Africa by making its Addis Ababa Bole International Airport hub one of Africa’s busiest, it has over time expanded to West Africa through its part ownership and cooperation with ASKY Airlines based in Togo, and Malawi Airlines in southern Africa.

Mr. Tewolde GebreMariam, group CEO, Ethiopian Airlines.

It is Africa’s most popular airline group commanding a lion’s share of the pan African network including the daily and double daily east-west flight across the continent. Currently, the Airline serves 100 international and 21 domestic destinations operating the newest and youngest fleet.In its seventy plus years of operation, Ethiopian has become the continent’s leading carrier, unrivalled in efficiency and operational success.

To this end, the Airline’s newest development has had passengers’ expectant as Ethiopian introduces onboard internet access with seamless reliable connectivity on its long haul flights on its brand new A350 fleet using the latest broadband satellite technology (Ka-band). According to Airline sources, with the state-of-the-art broadband satellite technology, passengers can rest assured that they will enjoy reliable connectivity for sending emails, shopping online or even chatting on social media while flying over the clouds.

Speaking on the development, the Group CEO of Ethiopian Airline, Mr. Tewolde GebreMariam, said that, “we are glad to introduce inflight internet connectivity with the latest broadband satellite technology, Ka-band, offering our passengers seamless digital experience as they fly Ethiopian”, he noted that the launch of the onboard wi-fi internet is part of Ethiopian Airline’s relentless efforts to further add to passengers’ comfort keeping pace with the technology of the day. He added that “as customer-centric airline, we will remain focused on continuous service excellence, taking advantage of emerging technologies and infrastructure.”

To access the new services, the Airline said that passengers can access the inflight connectivity service by purchasing vouchers at Ethiopian Airlines sales outlets including Addis Ababa International Airport customer service desk, boarding gate and cabin crews onboard the fights. Online sales through credit/debit card and ShebaMiles miles are also additional options for passengers to enjoy the service. The inflight WiFi can be accessed with smart phones, tablets and laptops.

Ethiopian 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 Freighter, Bombardier Q-400 double cabin with an average fleet age of five years. In fact, Ethiopian is the first airline in Africa to own and operate these aircraft. Ethiopian is currently implementing a 15-year strategic plan called Vision 2025 that led it to become the leading aviation group in Africa with Six business centers: Ethiopian International Services; Ethiopian Cargo & Logistics Services; Ethiopian MRO Services; Ethiopian Aviation Academy; Ethiopian ADD Hub Ground Services and Ethiopian Airports Services. Ethiopian is a multi-award-winning airline registering an average growth of 25 per cent in the past eight years.

Kelechi Deca

Kelechi Deca has over two decades of media experience, he has traveled to over 77 countries reporting on multilateral development institutions, international business, trade, travels, culture, and diplomacy. He is also a petrol head with in-depth knowledge of automobiles and the auto industry.