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Tag: Ethiopian Airlines

  • Ethiopian Airlines, Finchglow Holidays  partner on travel

    Ethiopian Airlines, Finchglow Holidays  partner on travel

    Finchglow Holidays and Ethiopian Airlines have unveiled a strategic partnership to broaden travel opportunities to the Horn of Africa country.

    The pact is part of plans to redefine the travel landscape on the continent by strengthening  the growth and competitiveness of Africa’s aviation ecosystem as well as consolidate a window of opportunities  to stimulate tourism flows and boost trade relations.

    Through the collaboration, Nigerian travellers can now enjoy a rich selection of expertly curated tour packages that celebrate Ethiopia’s cultural heritage, breathtaking landscapes, and vibrant cities all paired with the added convenience of in-country visa facilitation.

    The  partnership, the organisations  said, aims to deepen aviation and tourism links between Nigeria and Ethiopia, stimulate tourism flows, boost trade opportunities, and strengthen bilateral economic relations between the two nations.

    Speaking on this exciting development, Head of Business, Finchglow Holidays, Oluwaseun Afolabi, said: “Nigerians are now looking for hidden gems, moving away from the regular travel destinations, and Ethiopia offers some of the most captivating yet underexplored experiences on the continent.

    “Through this partnership, we are not only opening doors to these hidden tourist treasures but also fostering deeper cultural exchange between Nigeria and Ethiopia.

    “By offering thoughtfully curated tour packages alongside streamlined visa processing, we are removing barriers, enhancing access, and showcasing Ethiopia’s rich cultural heritage and diverse tourism to the Nigerian market.”

    Firiehiwot Mekonnen, Area Manager, Ethiopian Airlines, stated that “Nigeria is one of our most important markets in Africa, and this collaboration with Finchglow Holidays will further strengthen that relationship.

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    According to her, the airline wants travellers to truly experience Ethiopia, not just as a quick stopover or a night’s stay, but as a destination worth exploring in depth.

    “From our UNESCO heritage sites to breathtaking landscapes, Ethiopia offers a rich culture and remarkable attractions that deserve time and immersion. The Ethiopian government is also deeply committed to sustainability, investing in eco-friendly lodges and responsible tourism infrastructure.

    We’ve signed two MOUs: one with Ethiopian Holidays as the DMC for Finchglow Holidays to provide packages, land excursions, and flights; and another between Ethiopia and Finchglow Holidays to make the visa process easier.”

    Emphasising the broader industry impact, Group Managing Director, Finchglow Holdings, Bankole Bernard, stated that “This partnership solidifies Finchglow Holidays’ position as Nigeria’s leading tour operator and reflects our unwavering commitment to driving innovation in the travel and tourism sector. By joining forces with Ethiopian Holidays, we are delivering fresh, world-class experiences to our clients while contributing meaningfully to the growth and competitiveness of Africa’s aviation ecosystem.

    “This strategic alliance between Finchglow Holidays and Ethiopian Airlines indicates a bold step toward redefining African travel. By pairing world-class tour operations with seamless visa facilitation, the two brands are not only opening Ethiopia’s doors wider to Nigerian travellers but also setting a precedent for how African destinations can be marketed, accessed, and experienced.”

  • Our travel support plans for Nigeria, by Ethiopian Airlines

    Our travel support plans for Nigeria, by Ethiopian Airlines

    Area Manager of Ethiopian Airlines in Nigeria, Mrs Firiehiwot Mekonnen has highlighted the carrier’s role in supporting the travel and tourism value chain in the country.

    She said the carrier continues to offer flexible and affordable rates connecting Nigerian passengers to its hub in Addis Ababa and its global destinations.

    Mekonnen disclosed this during the inaugural second daily flight frequency from the Lagos Airport.

    She said the  additional flight brings Ethiopian Airlines frequency in Nigeria to 31 weekly flights from all stations Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Enugu and 14 weekly flights to/from Lagos with early morning, mid-day and evening departures.

    She said such arrangement makes Ethiopian airlines the most preferred by passengers for its flexible and convenient options.

    She went on :” With this second daily flight, we can connect all of our 66 African destinations within 12 hours of flight time. There will be no need for layovers as there are instant connections available to Asia, Middle East, India, and Africa & to the rest of 150 global destinations.

    “We expect that our passengers will take advantage of this second frequency and the opportunity it offers to them

    With this, ET is willing and able to partner and support travel and tourism in Nigeria.

    We have also offered to support inbound and outbound tourism in Nigeria.

    “In the coming months, Ethiopian Airlines will unfold its plan to support tourism in Nigeria with the recent success of Detty December , Carnival Calabar, Ojude Oba, and Durbar Festivals in Nigeria.”

    She further said :” With this flight, Ethiopian Airlines is further dedicating itself to serving Nigerians with more flexibility and affordable flight options

    “By the way, this flight  departed  with a full load of 147 passengers in Economy and 8 in Business Class.  The arriving flight from Addis Ababa came with 114 passengers in Economy and 1 passenger in Business Class.

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    “The full load shows Nigerians’ love and support for Ethiopian Airlines.

    Ethiopian Airlines has been serving Nigeria since independence in 1960, which will mark our uninterrupted and committed operation to Nigeria 65 years in November 2025, and there will be a big celebration to mark this.

    “We have always been here through thick and thin, through good and bad. Even when other airlines stayed away, we sacrificed to stand side by side with Nigeria, which happened, for example, when Abuja Airport was closed for repairs and it was only Ethiopian Airlines that flew to Kaduna Airport.

    “Ethiopian Airlines is the first African airline to introduce the first B787 Dreamliner to Africa, the first to fly A350 in Africa and recently the first A350-1000 in Africa specifically to Nigeria as part of our commitment to always give Nigeria the best.

    “I would like to thank and appreciate the Ministry of Aviation and Aero space development under the dynamic leadership of Festus Keyamo for giving us this opportunity to serve Nigeria’s better.

    I would like to also thank and appreciate the support from the Nigerian Civil aviation authority in making this possible and to all our stake holders and partners who had been partners in progress over the years specially our travel agencies, the media and all the airport community we say a big thank you.

    “And to our most esteemed passengers without you and your patronage, we will not be here; we really do appreciate you and assure you of our continued commitment to serve better.

    “Last but not least, I would like to thank the hard-working Ethiopian Airlines team all over Nigeria and specifically to the Lagos team for making this second frequency happen with a full load and for your dedicated effort.

    On his part, the Permanent Secretary to the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development Dr. Ibrahim Kana  who spoke at the event said the second daily flight frequency, given to Africa’s most profitable airline, Ethiopian Airways, to Lagos from Addis Ababa shows the country’s preparedness to open itself to business.

    Kana who received the B737Max aircraft that touched down at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport said the government did not hesitate to grant the request of the carrier when it approached it for a second daily flight to Lagos, adding that the major concern was the desire to make Lagos a hub of aviation in Africa.

    He lauded the carrier for its assistance to the country during the difficult Covid period, as the airline helped to ferry medical equipment during the lockdown, coupled with the role the airline played when the Abuja airport was closed to traffic for about six weeks in December 2016 for the rehabilitation of the runway.

    When all the airlines refused to operate to Kaduna as an alternate airport to Abuja, only Ethiopian Airlines continued flight operations. It reduced the pain of many travellers from all over the world who travelled to the country via Ethiopian Airlines.

    The Permanent Secretary said, “We welcome any airline that wants to fly to Nigeria. Our airports are open to any airline that wants to fly to Nigeria. We see Ethiopian Airlines as part of Nigeria, and we will grant them approval anytime they ask for approval on any route. We are making sure that Lagos becomes a hub. We can only ask for more”.

  • African table tennis body  seal partnership with  Ethiopian Airlines

    African table tennis body  seal partnership with  Ethiopian Airlines

    The newly elected African Table Tennis Federation (ATTF) Executive Council, led by President Wahid Enitan Oshodi, has achieved a significant milestone  by  appointing Ethiopian Airlines as its  Official Airline Partner .

    In a vibrant ceremony held at the Ethiopian Airlines Headquarters in Addis Ababa  last Friday (October 18) the ATTF and Ethiopian Airlines signed  the  Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to that effect.

    The ATTF delegation, led by President Oshodi, included Tesfaye Bizane, Executive Vice President of Media and Public Relations and Dr. Kweku Tandoh, Chief Operating Officer (COO) and they were warmly received by Ethiopian Airlines representatives , Firiehiwot Mekonnen, Head of ET-Holidays  and Mary Legesse, Senior Sales Manager of ET-Holidays.

    Oshodi expressed his gratitude to the airline’s management for their support of the 2024 ITTF Africa Senior Championships, which was held at the Ethiopian Sports Academy in Addis Ababa.

     “We want to express our sincere appreciation to the management of Ethiopian Airlines for their support of the 2024 Africa Senior Championships. We don’t take this for granted, and that is why we want to extend our partnership with the Pride of Africa. As a continental federation, we aim to become one of the leading sports in Africa and have decided to collaborate with the world’s leading airline by entering into this important partnership. We recognize the strength of the airline as a member of the Global Star Alliance, and for us at ATTF, we want to be identified with you. We hope and believe this will be a beneficial relationship for both parties,” Oshodi said.

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    Firiehiwot Mekonnen, representing Ethiopian Airlines, expressed pride in the partnership and affirmed their support by offering attractive packages during major events for the continental body.

     “We are thrilled to collaborate with ATTF as the Official Airline Partner of the continental body. Ethiopian Airlines is Africa’s largest airline, dedicated to transporting thousands of people to more than 137 destinations worldwide,” she said.

     “Our partnership with ATTF not only strengthens our connection with Africa but also aligns perfectly with our vision of fostering unity and celebrating excellence. As the Pride of Africa, we are committed to youth development through sports, and table tennis being a global sport, we are excited to support ATTF in its vision. We understand the crucial role sports play among our youths in Africa, and as an airline that prides itself as the gateway to Africa, we are willing to extend our partnership with ATTF by signing this MOU as a formal start to our long-lasting relationship. With the MOU, we have now made it official that we will be the partner airline for ATTF events within and beyond Africa,” she added.

    Tesfaye Bizane, who is also the President of the Ethiopia Table Tennis Federation (ETTF), described the MOU as a promising start for the new ATTF executive, with more corporate bodies expected to join soon.

     “We are excited to start on a positive note and will continue to seek partnerships with more corporate bodies so that our sport can compete favourably with other major sports in Africa,” Bizane said.

  • Ethiopian Airlines breaks silence on Nigeria Air

    Ethiopian Airlines breaks silence on Nigeria Air

    The Group CEO of Ethiopian Airlines, Mr. Mesfin Tasew has said that the East African carrier never had any plan to set up an airline in Nigeria but was invited by the Federal Government to establish a national carrier, Nigeria Air.

    Tasew, who spoke to  journalists from Nigeria in Addis Ababa,  disclosed that because of the pedigree of Ethiopian Airlines it was invited by the Federal Government to help it set up a national carrier in a partnership arrangement.

    He said Ethiopian Airlines first resisted the invitation but later agreed due to long relationship with Nigeria.

    He pointed out that while Ethiopian Airlines and the Nigerian government were preparing the shareholding, it received message that some companies and airlines in Nigeria were defaming Ethiopian Airlines and the Federal Government and had gone to court and obtained a court order to stop the establishment of Nigeria Air.

    This prompted Ethiopian Airlines to want to withdraw but the Nigerian officials insisted that it should continue the process of establishing the national carrier for the most populous nation in Africa.

    According to him: “Ethiopian Airlines didn’t have any intention or plan to setup an airline in Nigeria. In May, of 2022, when I took my current responsibility (as Group CEO), a request came from the Nigerian government asking ET (Ethiopian Airlines) to participate in a bid and help the Nigerian government to setup a Nigerian flag carrier. It came in writing. Initially we didn’t want to go into that. We said we have other initiatives in other countries and we were busy.

    “But the Nigerian government insisted that Ethiopian Airlines is an African airline, it has to help the Nigerian government in setting up the national carrier. So, we had to respect them. We serve the Nigerian public and government by flying to four cities in Nigeria; we couldn’t say no, we cannot come and help you.

    “So, we had to submit proposal, we had to respect the Nigerian government. And we thought that the Nigerian government had choices, ET being one; because they had also requested other airlines in the Middle East, Europe to participate in the bid. I don’t know whether they participated or not. We submitted our proposal and we received a letter from the Ministry of Aviation, saying that Ethiopian Airlines has been selected to be a partner to setup the airline.

    “Then the Nigerian government wanted the structure of investors to be Nigerian investing institutions and the Nigerian government wanted only five  percent shares to ensure that they have presence in the airline and to facilitate the establishment of the airline.

    “We had a lot of discussions, we agreed but we had some differences in some points. And while we were preparing the shareholder agreement, then we heard that some companies in Nigeria including airlines started defaming and objecting the establishment of the airline and defaming the name of the government and Ethiopian Airlines. At that time, we thought that if the Nigerian government doesn’t want it, the Nigerian public doesn’t want it, we could as well withdraw.

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    “But the Nigerian government insisted that no, that this is a strategic issue for Nigeria and we have to continue. When these group of people went to court, and brought a court order, we had to defend ourselves, we had to go to the court, together with the Nigerian government, including the Ministry of Transport.

    “We had to defend ourselves. So, until now, it is not yet decided, as far as we know, it is under the court. But the Nigerian government insisted that we had to continue the background work until the court case gets decision.

    “Nigeria Air was established before us; it is already established by the Nigerian government before we were invited. It has its own leadership, it was doing a lot of things, it had started requesting for the Air Operators’ Certificate (AOC), making preparations.

    “So, when we came in, it was a matter of restructuring the ownership of that Nigeria Air. For your information, the logo was already defined by them, it was not by Ethiopian Airlines. And we thought that if Nigeria Air is established, the benefit will be for Nigerian public, for Nigerian government.

    “Because when we talked to the Nigerian government, why do you want to setup a new airline? They said they don’t have dependable airlines within Nigeria and they wanted an airline that can provide dependable service that departs and arrives on time; that doesn’t cancel flights on the domestic market and also on the international market.

    “The Nigerian government believes that airfares charged by foreign airlines are so high that the Nigerian public is at a disadvantage. So, the intention of the Nigerian government was to setup a very, very strong, reliable, dependable national carrier that services both the domestic market and the international.  And we believe in it. that is why we wanted to move forward with it.”

    The Group CEO of Ethiopian Airlines further explained that when the Federal Government requested for Ethiopian Airlines aircraft painted on the Nigeria Air logo for the inspection of Nigerians, the airline agreed.

    “At one point, that leadership of Nigeria Air, which doesn’t include Ethiopian Airlines, asked us to bring aircraft painted with Nigerian logo to facilitate the progress of the Air Operators’ Certificate. So, we agreed with that, we took out one of our aircraft, we painted it with Nigerian logo, we flew it, it was for demonstration by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) for their inspection. So, after two days, we brought back the aircraft, repainted it with Ethiopian logo and it is flying.

    “So, while we were here, waiting for the decision of the court, now there was a change of government that took place. New ministers, high government officials and they came and told us, look, there are concerns from people. So, temporarily they wanted to suspend the project.

    “We said fine. I had to travel to Abuja to talk to the authorities to listen to what their intention and plan is. And they told us that they are not cancelling the project but that they wanted to study it and address the concerns of the public.”

    Tasew said the federal government promised to get back to Ethiopian Airlines with a decision and the East African carrier agreed.

    “In the first place, it was not our initiative, it was the initiative of the government. Now, if the government wants us to cancel the project, it is fine with us. We have no problem. If the government wants us to continue with the project, the government has to solve the legal case in court. Otherwise, we are willing to support the Nigerian government in the establishment of the national carrier.”

  • Nigerians pay tribute to late Pius Adesanmi at candlelight procession

    Tributes and encomiums overwhelmed in Akure, the Ondo State capital at the weekend in memory of Prof. Pius Adesanmi who died in the ill-fated Ethiopian airline 302 penultimate week.

    Sympathisers and admirers gathered at the NUJ Press Centre in Adegbemile,Akure to honour the departed scholar from Kogi state.

    In attendance were the Special Adviser to the Governor of Ondo State on Public Utilities, Engr. Tunji Light Ariyomo, former Ondo state Head of Service( HoS) Bar Ajose Kudehinbu, Rev. Fr. Joseph Ogodo of Ondo Catholic Diocese who is the Director, Domus Pacis Pastoral Institute,Igoba, Akure, Tope Famuti, President of the 83/88 set of the St. Thomas Aquinas College Akure Old Students’ Association among others.

    Speaking on the life and times of the late erudite scholar, Ariyomo said Adesanmi was an intrepid revolutionary fought with superior ideas for the emancipation of the black race.

    According to him, late Adesanmi had seen that education and leadership are the two principal keys to the liberation of Nigeria and the rest of Africa.

    He said “Pius knew long ago that our future as a people would be affected by the depth and quality of our education as well as the quality of minds that constitute our leadership”.

    Ariyomo added that “there are many works of Pius that many have described as the best. For me, however, due to its central significance to the leadership ascension theme of most African democracies, my best of Pius’ works is an essay titled ‘2015: I endorse you, spectocrat!’

    “This work ministered directly to the theme of pseudo-democracy in Africa and the ultimate need of ensuring that leadership becomes beholding to the ordinary masses rather than as boons from garrison commanders of Nigerian politics”.

    Ariyomo, who could not hold back tears described Adesanmi as brilliance-personified.

    Kudehinbu, in his tribute, described the late Professor as someone who was focused on seeing Africa become a safe haven for her people.

    He said the late erudite professor was never tired of promoting knowledge that could lead to bridging the gap between the poor and the rich.

    The former HoS said: “I met Pius on Facebook. He was a writer and therefore a citizen of the world. His works are towards building a good nation. He promoted the interest of the people through his works and with his sterling talents. Although he could come across as very critical at times, his criticisms were well directed. He was a prophet who appeared to have seen his death coming. He saw into the future.”

    Rev. Fr. Joseph Ogodo while delivering his exhortation on Life and the Place of God offered words of consolation to the family, associates and friends left behind by the late professor.

    The cleric described the late Professor as an Afro-dynamic Laureate because in all his works, he promoted excellence and Africanness.

    He delivered a special greeting from the Bishop of the Home Parish of the late Prof. Adesanmi as well as the Bishop of Yagba Catholic Dioceses who were also on their way to attend the programme at Isanlu.

    Ogodo also left admonition while quoting several verses in the Holy Bible to prove that death is a mystery.

    He also said that it is not in the length of the years that matters but the good in the years.

    Sympathisers later moved from the venue in procession to the popular Oba Adesida Road in Akure donning T-shirts and Fez caps with images and inscriptions of late Adesanmi.

  • Criticism on Boeing 737 Max 8, misdirected – Air Peace

    Despite global criticism trailing the crash of Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft in the fleet of Lion Air and Ethiopian Airlines, Chairman, Air Peace, Allen Onyema said on Wednesday that the carrier had no regrets placing order for the aircraft type.

    Onyema said the airline took the steps to order the airplanes in response to the yearnings of Nigerians desiring to fly new airplanes.

    Onyema said it was unfortunate that Nigerians were criticising Air Peace for ordering 10 aircraft of similar models.

    He said: “When we placed a firm order for the 10 brand new B737-Max 800, it was the toast of the global aviation industry.

    “We were only responding to the yearnings that Nigeria airlines should be flying modern planes.

    “It is unfortunate that Air Peace is being criticised for an aircraft that will not be delivered until 2023.

    “We believe it is the work of our detractors, but we will not be deterred,” he said.

    The US government has ordered a review of the way Boeing’s 737 Max aircraft got its licence to fly.

    It comes after two crashes in five months, amid suggestions from experts that there were “clear similarities” between the disasters.

    Transport secretary Elaine Chao has asked the US inspector general to audit the aircraft’s certification process.

    One focus of crash investigators has been the Max’s anti-stall system, which Boeing says needs a software update.

    Read also: Air Peace takes delivery of third B777 aircraft

    In a memo to inspector general Calvin Scovel, Ms Chao said she wanted the review in order to “assist the Federal Aviation Administration [the regulator] in ensuring that its safety procedures are implemented effectively”.

    After the crash of the Ethiopian Airlines aircraft last week – which followed a Lion Air disaster in October – there were questions about why the FAA took so long to ground the 737 Max.

    Meanwhile, Europe and Canada said they would seek their own assurances over the safety of the aircraft, a move likely to complicate plans to get the aircraft flying again across the world.

  • 350 Boeing 737 Max 8 planes grounded

    The aftermath of last Sunday air crash of an Ethiopian Airlines plane,  a Boeing 737 Max 8, Flight ET 302,  on scheduled flight to Nairobi, more than 350 planes of the brand used by airlines around the world have been grounded.

    Among the airlines affected are:  Ethiopian Airlines, ChinaEastern Airlines, Royal AirMoroc, Garuda Indonesia Air Italy, Aerolines Agentinas, Southwest Airlines, American Airlines, Air Canada,  China Southern Airlines, Norwegian Air, TUI Fly, Air China,  SpiceJet, WestJet, Turkish Airlines,  FlyDubai, Shanghai Airlines, Hainan Airlines, Xiamen Airlines, Lion Air, Smartwings, GOL Airlines, Shandong Airlines and  Oman Air Jet Airways.

    Many countries have also banned the use of Boeing 737 Max 8. They include Australia, Brazil, Canada, Cayman Islands, China, Ethiopia, Europe, Fiji, Hong Kong, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Japan, New Zealand, Malaysia, Mexico, Nigeria, Oman, Panama, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), United States and Vietnam.

    The United States Federal Aviation Administration has grounded the worldwide fleet of 737 MAX aircraft as concern grows about its airworthiness.

    However, the United States and US-based manufacturer, Boeing, had continued to insist 737 Max was safe to operate.

    Boeing has now changed course and recommended a temporary halt to operations

    A statement reads: “After consultation with the United States Federal Aviation Administration, the United States National Transportation Safety Board and aviation authorities and its customers around the world, Boeing has determined out of an abundance of caution and in order to reassure the flying public of the aircraft’s safety – to recommend to the FAA the temporary suspension of operations of the entire global fleet of the 371 737 Max aircraft.”

    Dennis Muilenburg, Chief Executive of Boeing, said safety was the priority.

    He said: “We are supporting this proactive step out of an abundance of caution.

    “We are doing everything we can to understand the cause of the accidents in partnership with the investigators, deploy safety enhancements and help ensure this does not happen again.”

    The FAA issued an emergency order of prohibition earlier, effectively banning the Boeing 737 Max from operations in the United States and around the world.

    Meanwhile, the black boxes from the Boeing 737 MAX 8 that crashed on Sunday in Ethiopia have been sent to France for analysis, Ethiopian Airlines said on Thursday.

    “An Ethiopian delegation led by Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) has flown the Flight Data Recorder (FDR) and Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) to Paris, France for investigation,” the airline said in a statement.

    Ethiopia said on Wednesday it would send the FDR and the CVR to France because the East African country lacks the facilities to carry out the detailed analysis required to determine the cause of the deadly disaster.

    The devices from the US-made aircraft will be analysed by France’s BEA air accident investigation agency.

    Analysts backed the decision by Africa’s biggest airline to send the black boxes to France.

  • Ethiopian airlines: families of victims steel themselves for journey to crash site

    Ethiopians clad in traditional mourning shawls and other black clothing gathered silently in a hotel conference room in Addis Ababa, local media reported on Thursday.

    Couples held each other, slumped forward in their chairs and gazing downwards.

    Some men held their heads in their hands, while women in head scarves leaned for comfort against the chests of their relatives.

    They said they wanted more “transparency” from the airlines and more details of Sunday’s accident.

    An airlines staff member replied that the crash was under investigation and that more details were emerging day by day.

    A stoic man in a dark coat said he was steeling himself for the three-hour journey to the crash site.

    Tewfik Ahmed, 39, was raised by the father of Ahmed Nur Mohammed, the deputy pilot of ET 302.

    Tewfik traveled from his home in the south of the country to pay his respects.

    “Ahmed was the pride of the family, heading to the site is the least I can do for him,’’ he told Reuters, seated alongside several other mourners.

    All 157 passengers and eight crew aboard the flight were killed when their Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 8 crashed six minutes after taking off from the high-altitude capital of Ethiopia.

    The nation of 105 million people has long been proud of its state-owned airlines, its most successful company and the only profitable airline in sub-Saharan Africa.

    Nine Ethiopians were killed in the crash, along with 32 Kenyans, 18 Canadians, eight people each from China and Italy and a total of 35 nationalities were on board.

    The mourners gathered at the Ethiopian Airlines-owned Skylight Hotel near Bole International Airport, while some held up framed photographs of young loved ones.

    The room filled over the course of a half hour, becoming a packed, makeshift grieving centre.

    An Ethiopian Airlines staff member, also wearing black, told the mourners it was offering them free accommodation, she said the company would provide counseling.

    The staff members were flanked by bouquets of white roses and white candles.

  • Ethiopian Airlines: victims’ families to visit crash site

    Family members of the victims of the Ethiopian Airlines crash that killed 157 people were to visit the site of the accident on Wednesday, an official said.

    Asrat Begashaw, Head of Public Relations at Ethiopian Airlines, said embassy officials from various nations would
    accompany the families on the grim trip to the scene where human remains are still being gathered.

    “What we have collected so far is stored in freezers but there are plans to move them to hospitals. DNA work has not started yet,” Begashaw said.

    Meanwhile, officials have yet to decide where to send the retrieved black box for investigation into why the Boeing 737 MAX 8 went down on Sunday shortly after take-off for Nairobi.

    “There is no decision made yet on where to send it. What we can say is we don’t have the capability to probe it here in Ethiopia,’’ Begashaw said.

    Read Also: Investigators recover flight recorders of Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737-8 Max

    The crash, which was the second deadly accident involving that model of Boeing in several months, hit the U.S.
    manufacturer hard – with its share price dropping and much of the world grounding those aircraft or banning it from their skies.

    Boeing has said it is still safe to fly, and the U.S. remains one of few countries that has not temporarily banned the model from its airspace.

    U.S. officials arrived in Ethiopia on Tuesday to help with investigations into the crash, which killed 157 on board.

  • Investigators recover flight recorders of Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737-8 Max

    Ethiopian Airlines said Monday that it has recovered the Digital Flight Data Recorder (DFDR) and Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) of its Boeing 737 – Max 8 aircraft crashed a few minutes after take off near the country’s capital in Addis Ababa.

    The airline said the flight recorders otherwise known as Black Boxes were recovered after a tedious search by the investigative team.

    The recovery of the black boxes comes, just as Ethiopian Airlines led the pack of global carriers to suspend the commercial operations of all Boeing 737- Max 8 aircraft in its fleet.

    Besides, Ethiopian Airlines, China Airlines has also suspended the commercial operations of the aircraft type.

    Investigators are working on the black box data to ascertain the cause of the crash.

    Ethiopian said in a statement signed by Biniyam Demssie, that it has continued monitoring the situation closely with all stakeholders and is providing all the necessary support to the families of the deceased in its temporarily established family assistance centers in Addis Ababa and Nairobi Airports.

    “Although we don’t yet know the cause of the accident, we had to decide to ground the particular fleet as extra safety precaution.

    All 157 souls, including two erudite Nigerians, Prof. Pius Adesanmi and Amb. Abiodun Bashua, died in the crash on Sunday.

    Boeing’s 737 MAX is the newest version of a jet that has been a fixture of passenger travel for decades and the cash cow of the world’s largest aircraft maker, competing against the Airbus SE’s A320neo family of single-aisle jetliners.

    The decades-old 737 family is considered one of the industry’s most reliable aircraft.

    The 737-800 delivers superior reliability, fuel efficiency and high-value returns that operators
    require in today’s competitive market. Its exceptional versatility and lower maintenance and operating costs provide a competitive edge regardless of business model or market.?

    Boeing rolled out the fuel-efficient MAX 8 in 2017 as an update to the already redesigned 50-year-old 737 and had delivered 350 MAX jets out of the total order tally of 5,011 aircraft by the end of January.

    But, two crashes involving Ethiopian Airlines and Lion Air has sparked global outrage on the safety status of the aircraft type.

    The latest version of Boeing‘s best-selling 737 family has again been thrust into the spotlight after a fatal crash in Ethiopia, months after a deadly crash involving an identical brand-new jet in Indonesia.

    A Nairobi-bound Boeing 737 MAX 8 operated by Ethiopian Airlines crashed minutes after take-off from Addis Ababa, killing all 157 on board.

    The same model flown by Lion Air crashed off the coast of Indonesia in October, killing all 189 on board.
    Meanwhile, aircraft manufacturer : Boeing said it is aware of reports of an airplane accident and is closely monitoring the situation.

    Boeing is facing a string of lawsuits in the US by families of the Lion Air crash victims, including five cases in US federal court in Illinois where Boeing has its Chicago headquarters.

    Former National Transportation Safety Board chairman Mark Rosenker said the catastrophic crashes of two new planes were “highly unusual” and both had broad similarities in that they went down soon after take-off.
    While it is unclear if there is a direct link, “this is now an extraordinary issue” for aviation safety officials to grapple with and will prompt a sweeping investigation to determine if there are common issues, Rosenker said.

    Dallas-based Southwest Airlines Co is the biggest operator of the MAX 8, with 31 aircraft, followed by American Airlines Group Inc and Air Canada with 24 each.

    Southwest and American said on Sunday they remained fully confident in the aircraft and were closely monitoring the investigation.

    China and Ethiopia grounded all Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft while a number of airlines across the world are carrying out safety measures on the jets.

    Aviation analyst Scott Hamilton cautioned against drawing comparisons between the two crashes, especially before the flight recorders are recovered. Ethiopian Airlines has a strong reputation and good safety record, he said in a blog post.

    Late on Sunday, Boeing said it would postpone the planned ceremonial debut of its 777x wide-body aircraft that had been set for Wednesday in Seattle and was to be live-streamed.

    The company said it is focused on “supporting” Ethiopian Airlines and “will look for an opportunity to mark the new plane with the world in the near future.”

    How safe is the brand new Boeing 737 Max 8? This a legitimate question to ask while search and rescue operations are in progress in Ethiopia after the recent crash.

    On October 29, 2018 a brand new Boeing 737 Max 8 operated as Lion Air Flight 610 crashed into the Java Sea shortly after take off killing also everyone on board, 189 people.

    Lion Air canceled a $22 billion order for the Boeing 737 Max 8. Qatar Airways followed, but later decided to stay with its agreement with Boeing for the delivery of some 60 737-800 MAX aircraft.

    The air flight maintenance log on Lion Air showed six problems had been identified on the plane since 26 October, including errors with its airspeed and altitude information displays.

    The global aviation industry is worried, at least behind the scene. The following airlines are currently operating Boeing Max 8 aircraft.

    Here is a list of airlines and the number of Max 8 on order or in operation.

    Southwest Airlines: 250
    GECAS : 150
    Ryanair: 135
    FlyDubai: 131
    Jet Airways: 125
    Vet Jet Air: 120
    Spice Jet: 116
    Norwegian Air Shuttle: 110
    Gol Transportes Aereos: 105
    American Airlines; 100
    SMBC Aviation Capital: 91
    AerCap: 85
    BOC Aviation: 77
    Aviation Capital Group: 70
    China Development Bank: 68
    Avolon: 65
    Turkish Airlines: 65
    TUI Group: 54
    China Southern Airlines: 50
    Garuda Indonesia: 50
    ALAFCO: 40
    Jeju Air: 40
    Silk Air: 37
    Ethiopian Airlines: 30
    Jackson Square Aviation: 30
    Korean Air: 30
    Virgin Australia: 30
    Air Europa: 20
    Goshwak Aviation: 20
    Oman Air: 20
    Westjet: 20
    Donghai Airlines: 15
    Malaysia Airlines: 15
    SunExpress: 15
    Air China: 14
    Air Lease Corporation: 14
    China Eastern Airlines 13
    Aerolinas Argentinas: 11
    Aeromexico: 11
    Air Peace

    Japan Investment Advisor: 10
    Lion Air: 10
    Xiamen Air: 9
    Comair: 8
    Smartwings: 8
    Blue Ar: 6
    Nok Air: 6
    Shandong Airlines: 6
    Fiji Airways: 5
    Qatar Airways: 5
    Shenzhen Airlines: 5
    TAROM: 5
    Air Niugini: 4
    Royal Air Maroc: 4
    Hainan Airlines: 3
    Icelandair: 3
    Business Jet: 2
    Enter Air: 2
    SkyUp Airlines: 2
    9 Air: 1
    Mauritania Airlines International : 1
    SCAT Airlines 1