Reiterating its belief and commitment to making aviation industry greater in Nigeria, Ethiopian Airlines has promised to hire unemployed Nigerian pilots.
The airline has also affirmed that Nigerian passengers will continue to enjoy unhindered scheduled operations to all the four airports under its cover, even as some other foreign airlines withdraw their services on Lagos and Abuja routes.
With the suspension of operations by some domestic airlines operating in the country over 200 Nigerian pilots are unemployed.
Speaking at a media parley Begashaw to celebrate the Airline 70 years of existence, and 56th years of operations into the country, today, the leading Pan-African Airline, through its Country Area Manager Nigeria, Mr. Solomon, remarked that providing international class service to Africa is a pride.
“As a veteran Pan-African carrier it has always been our source of pride to serve our beloved continent, Africa , both in good and bad times. Our presence in Nigeria dates back to the 1960’s, same time the Federal Republic of Nigeria got her independence from foreign colonization. Ethiopian has been part of Nigeria’s historic growth and always considers itself as a partner in the history and growth of Nigeria as a country.” He said.
It would be recalled that Iberia and United Airlines have in the recent time stopped their scheduled flight operations into country while Emirates airline has reduced its 14 weekly frequencies to Lagos to seven while it has suspended its four weekly frequencies to Abuja.
To sustain the promise, Begashaw affirmed that “Management of Ethiopian Airlines wishes to clarify its stance of pursuing its operations to Nigeria and keep Nigerian travellers connected to five continents around the globe”.
He continued, “As an indigenous Pan-African Carrier, Ethiopian airlines will remain with the Nigerian public in good and bad times like it has always done in the past 50 years. Ethiopian has been in the highs and lows of Nigeria; all through the crisis periods of Nigeria and also during the last Economic crisis, providing the link between Nigeria and the outside world thereby showing its African solidarity.
“In the Spirit of African brotherhood, Ethiopian Airlines does not wish to be in Nigeria only when the going is good, rather, make sacrifices along with Nigerians in this trying time knowing that Nigerians are resilient and resourceful and will soon come out of the temporary recession,” he added..
As part of the celebrations the airline extended free tickets to Nigerians who liked Ethiopian Airlines Nigeria on Facebook page.
Currently, the African largest airline serves the Nigerian traveler from four Airports of Lagos, Abuja, Enugu and Kano. And to reinforce its support to Nigeria; it offers to hire Nigeria pilots for its ever growing fleet of B777,B787,B737 and Dash 8 Q-400 Aircraft, train more Nigerians in its Aviation academy, which is the largest in Africa. Besides, Ethiopian Airlines had always served Nigeria with the best Aircraft in its fleet like the A350 Airbus, B787 Dreamliner and the B777 wide body.
