L-R Lensa Bekele Edossa; Dr. Ibrahim Kana, Perm Sec, Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development; Capt. Mikel; Mrs.Firiehiwot Mekonnen, Area Manager of Ethiopian Airlines; Ms.Tano Onoworemu and Gelane Bedass Shifera during a brief ceremony to mark the second daily flight of the airline into Lagos on Tuesday
…as Perm Sec dangles additional frequencies before foreign airlines
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Dr. Ibrahim Abubakar Kana, has said that Nigeria is ready and its airports are open to accommodate more frequency of foreign airlines and expansion into other cities in the country.
Speaking on Tuesday at a brief ceremony marking the launch of Ethiopian airlines second flight into Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, Kana said Nigeria is ready to grant more frequencies to Ethiopian airlines in particular, describing it as a friend of the nation in times of crisis.
According to him, Nigeria is continually working towards making Lagos a hub, and will not hesitate to approve more frequencies for foreign airlines.
“When the airline approached us in the Ministry for an increase in frequency, we did not hesitate because Ethiopian airline is our airline, it’s Nigerian airline, as a government, we see Ethiopia as part of Nigeria and we see Nigeria as part of Ethiopia, therefore, for Ethiopian airline requesting for an increase at anytime, we shall grant them that approval. I am particularly happy that today, we have 14 flights a week into and out of Lagos, we can only ask for more.
“For us in Nigeria, our dream is to see that Lagos becomes a hub and in no distant time, I can guarantee you that where we are standing will be a hub for many airlines, Addis Ababa is a hub and Lagos is going to be a hub and Ethiopian airline can launch as many flights as possible. Our dream is to make Lagos the capital of Africa in terms of business and commerce and that we can achieve through aviation abd Aerospace activities. We appreciate Ethiopian airline particularly ,during COVID-19 era when airlines were not flying into Nigeria, Ethiopian airline brought products and equipment to Nigeria. The Ministry of Aviation will continue to give you all the support and request that you desire from us.
“Similarly, all other airlines that want to fly into Nigeria are welcome, Ethiopian airline is challenging you, the Ministry of Aviation is challenging you, Lagos is welcoming everyone, we have Abuja airport, Enugu airport, Port-Harcourt airport and indeed, Kano airport, these airports are wide open for all international airlines to fly into and out of Nigeria, Nigeria is ready for business , this is the renewed hope agenda”
The aircraft was received with the traditional water cannon; a ritual done whenever an airline begins operations to a destination or when an airline adds to its existing frequencies.
The aircraft departed Lagos for Addis with a full load of 147 passengers in Economy and 8 in Business Class, while the arriving flight from Addis Ababa arrived with 114 passengers in Economy and one passenger in Business Class.
Meanwhile, Area Manager of Ethiopian Airlines in Nigeria, Mrs. Firiehiwot Mekonnen, spoke of plans to support tourism development in Nigeria.
“We offered to support inbound and outbound tourism in Nigeria. In the coming months, ET 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 said.
The Ethiopian airline boss, who disclosed that the flight would be departing with a full load of 147 passengers in Economy and 8 in Business Class, said the flight arrived Nigeria from Addis Ababa with 114 passengers in Economy and 1 passenger in Business Class.
“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. “, she added.
Mekonnen noted that with the new frequency, Ethiopian Airlines is further dedicating itself to serving Nigerians with more flexibility and affordable flight options
She disclosed that this 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 which makes Ethiopian airlines the most preferred by passengers for its flexible and convenient options.
‘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 and 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.”
