Ethiopian Partnering with ASKY to Establish West African Cargo Hub

Press Release

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – Ethiopian Cargo, the largest cargo operator in Africa, is pleased to announce the opening of a second cargo hub in Africa based in Lomé, Togo, in partnership with ASKY Airlines. The new cargo hub will commence operations in September 2013 after the phase-in of a B737-400F.

For the past three years, Ethiopian and ASKY have been successfully serving the needs of passengers travelling within, to and from West and Central Africa thru the Lomé hub and enabling them to benefit from the easy and convenient connectivity options offered by their extensive and coordinated passenger networks.

Now, Ethiopian and ASKY are partnering in the establishment of a new cargo hub in Lomé for the transportation goods and commodities between West Africa and the rest of the world. This partnership will enable easy and convenient air transport of high value and perishable goods to and from West and Central Africa, thereby playing a critically essential role in the growth of trade and the economic development of the region.

“As Africa continues with its fast economic growth, we are expanding our cargo network to serve the continent better and make air cargo accessible to more countries and more people. Africa is a large continent in land mass, economy and population and multiple hubs with multiple African airline partnerships are critically essential to ensure global standard air transport. Over the last three years, in line with our Vision 2025 multiple hub strategy in Africa, we have successfully established a second passenger network hub in Lomé, in partnership with ASKY to better serve the West Africa community. We are now extending this successful partnership to the cargo business.” said Tewolde Gebremariam, CEO of Ethiopian.

Ethiopian Cargo is the largest cargo operator in Africa serving 25 cargo destinations globally using six dedicated freighter aircraft. Recently Ethiopian Cargo received “Long Time Partnership” Award from Asia Freight Terminal (AAT) in Hong Kong in recognition of its reliable cargo service

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 75 international destinations across five continents. Ethiopian fleet includes ultra-modern and environmentally friendly aircraft such as the Boeing 787, Boeing 777-200LR, 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 Service.

Ethiopian is a multi-award winning airline and a member of Star Alliance since 2011 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
publicrelations@ethiopianairlines.com
www.ethiopianairlines.com 
www.facebook.com/ethiopianairlines