Esayas Woldemariam, Managing Director of Ethiopian Airlines’ International Service, says that the airline has strong aspirations to grow its relations with its Chinese passengers towards “being the most Chinese-friendly transit hub and airline in the African continent.”
By Jerry Owilli (CGTN Africa)
Ethiopia’s national carrier, Ethiopian Airlines, on 17 April 2018 said it serves around 4,000 Chinese passengers daily.
The airline said it even has a Chinese help desk to serve its clientele from the Asian country passing through or coming to Africa.
“We have a Chinese help desk here at the hub for passengers passing through here to Africa and coming back, we have Chinese dedicated staff here, we have Chinese crew on board, we have Chinese food, and we have Chinese call-center,” Managing Director of Ethiopian Airlines’ International Service Esayas Woldemariam said.
The airline, which is widely recognized as one of Africa’s fastest growing airlines, has been frequently expressing its interest to attract Chinese passengers into the African continent and beyond.
Four destinations of the airline in China
1. Beijing (Beijing Capital International Airport)
2. Chengdu (Shuangliu International Airport)
3. Guangzhou (Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport)
4. Shanghai (Shanghai Pudong International Airport)
Ato Esayas said the airline has strong aspirations to grow its relations with its Chinese customers towards “being the most Chinese-friendly transit hub and airline in the African continent.”
“We’re right in the center of [the] growth and transformation plan. Number one, we are bringing tourists to this country; we are promoting the good image of the country. We are heralding to the world that Ethiopia is now completely a different country. We are heralding the renaissance of Ethiopia. And also, we are promoting investment.” Tewolde GebreMariam, Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO to CGTN Africa
Ethiopian Airlines also celebrates Chinese festivals in a bid to attract its Chinese customers, which include a special event for Chinese nationals returning home for the Chinese New Year, or Spring Festival every February.
The carrier is currently the biggest serving passenger and cargo between China and Africa, with 5 destinations in China that are Beijing, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Chengdu and Guangzhou. The company has also finalized its preparations to add Shenzhen on the list.
In related news to the airlines, the Transport Affairs Standing Committee of the House of People’s Representatives of Ethiopia has called on Ethiopian Airlines Group to give due attention to finalize the delayed construction of its new airports, the Ethiopian Herald reported.
The Committee particularly said the airports of Robe, Dembi Dolo and Nekempte should be urgently finalized.
It also stated that the construction of new regional airports in Mizan Aman, Yabello, Negele Borena, and Debre Markos should start immediately.
The nine-month performance of Ethiopian Airlines was evaluated on 18 April 2018 by the Standing Committee of the House that urged it to also put more efforts to the completion of other infrastructural projects.
According to Representative of the Standing Committee, Abebaw Bekalu, the performance of the airline is satisfactory.
He cited its effectiveness in providing service, global competitiveness, opening of domestic and international destinations, import of modern.
Presenting the report, Ethiopian Airlines Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Henok Tefera, said the global economic growth this year has created good opportunities for the airline.
During the period, five new international destinations were opened and seven Boeing 787 aircraft imported.
Source: CGTN Africa and The Ethiopian Herald