Ethiopian Airlines commences flights to Singapore

Left to right: The CEO Tewolde G. Mariam, H.E Getachew Mengistie, H.E Mr. Lee Yi Shan  and H.E. Tadesse Haile cutting cake marking the opening of services to Singapore

Press Release

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia - Ethiopian Airlines, the fastest growing Airline in Africa, announces the commencement of a new flight services to Singapore at the inaugural ceremony held at Bole International Airport, Ministerial Salon on December 03, 2013. The event was graced by H.E. Mr. Getachew Mengistie, State Minister of Transport of the FDRE, H.E. Mr. Tadesse Haile, State Minister of Industry, H.E Mr. Lee Yi Shan, Senior Minister of State for Trade and Industry of Singapore, Mr. Tewolde GebreMariam, CEO of Ethiopian Airlines and other invited guests.

Singapore is one of the major global aviation hubs and a preferred gateway to Asia and Australia. Ethiopian flights will serve the growing traffic between Africa and Singapore, and is perfectly timed to give the best possible connectivity options to passengers travelling between most points in Australia/Asia and Africa in partnership with fellow Star member, Singapore Airlines.

With the start of Ethiopian flights, passengers will be able to enjoy smooth and seamless connection between destinations in Australia such as Sydney and Melbourne, and all the major Cities in Africa such as Addis Ababa, Nairobi, Lagos, Accra, Luanda and Johannesburg with minimum layovers.

Mr. Tewolde Gebremariam, Chief Executive Officer of Ethiopian said: “Singapore is a major and preferred gateway to Asia and Australia. That is why we have decided to make Singapore our main strategic point of access to the Oceania market and its huge Ethiopian/African Diaspora Community by availing excellent connectivity options through our code-share agreement with Fellow Star Alliance member, Singapore Airlines. Our flights to Singapore will also greatly contribute to the strengthening of trade, investment, and tourism ties between a booming Africa and a highly developed, innovative, and business-friendly Singapore.” Ethiopian will be the first East African carrier to start services to Singapore, which will become the airline’s 78th international destination.

Ethiopian is a multi-award winning carrier having received in 2013 the Passenger Choice Award as “Best Airline in Africa” and the SKTRAX Award for “Best Staff Service in Africa.”

About Ethiopian

Ethiopian Airlines (Ethiopian) is the fastest growing Airline in Africa. In its operations in the past close to seven decades, Ethiopian has become one of the continent’s leading carriers, unrivalled in efficiency and operational success.

Ethiopian commands the lion share of the pan-African passenger and cargo network operating the youngest and most modern fleet to more than 78 international destinations across five continents. Ethiopian fleet includes ultra-modern and environmentally friendly aircraft such as the Boeing 787, Boeing 777-200LR, 777-300LRs Boeing 777-200LR Freighter and Bombardier Q-400 with double cabin. 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 will see it become the leading aviation group in Africa with seven business centers: Ethiopian Domestic and Regional Airline; Ethiopian International Passenger Airline; Ethiopian Cargo; Ethiopian MRO; Ethiopian Aviation Academy; Ethiopian In-flight Catering Services; and Ethiopian Ground Services. Ethiopian is a multiaward winning airline registering an average growth of 25% in the past seven years.

For more information about this press release, please contact:

Manager PR & Publications
Ethiopian Airlines
Tel: (251-1) 517-84-07
Email: publicrelations@ethiopianairlines.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ethiopianairlines
Twitter: @flyethiopian