Credit: addisherald.com /  Ethiopian Airlines Resumed Flights to Eritrea Capital Asmara  Jul. 18, 2018 After Historic Peace Pact Between Ethiopia and Eritrea.

By Gary Raynaldo    DIPLOMATIC TIMES

In a spirit of diplomatic sisterhood, Ethiopia Airlines resumed daily flights to Asmara, Eritrea for the first time in 20 years following agreements reached between the leaders of the two Horn of Africa nations.  Ethiopia and Eritrea are now being referred to as two sisterly countries as the ‘Cold War’ thaws between them. The leaders of Ethiopia and Eritrea signed a landmark peace deal this summer that ended decades of diplomatic and armed battles.  The transport link provided by Ethiopian Airlines will assist landlocked Ethiopia pursue its goal of becoming a regional manufacturing hub as it attempts to grow its economy and provide jobs for a large, young population. Direct air connection between the two countries was blocked after the two countries fought in 1998 and broke off diplomatic ties.

“We at Ethiopian feel an immense honor and joy to resume scheduled flights to Asmara after 20 years. With the opening of a new chapter of peace and friendship between the two sisterly countries, we look forward to starting flights to Asmara with the B787, the most technologically advanced commercial aircraft, which gives customers unparalleled on board comfort. “The resumption of air links will play a critical role in boosting the overall political, economic, trade and people-to-people ties between the two sisterly countries.”

 CEO of Ethiopian Airlines, Tewolde Gebremariam

Family Members Were Totally Cut Off From Each Other For 20 Years As Ethiopia-Eritrea Telephone Lines Were Dead

Credit: twitter@flighttoasmara/   Historic Flight Linking Ethiopia and Eritrea After Two Decades Of Isolation.

Many Eritreans are returning home to reunite with family and friends after many years.

Eritrean Ambassador to Ethiopia, Araya Desta said:  ”As we all know the two family members were totally cut off for more than 20 years. Obstacles that hindered and separated the peoples are now over.”

Ethiopian Airlines Crowned The 2018 ‘Best African Carrier’ Award For The 7th Consecutive Year 

Credit: @muhammad_fall twitter /   Ethiopian Airlines is  is the fastest growing Airline in Africa. In its seventy plus years of operation, Ethiopian has become one of the continent’s leading carriers, unrivalled in efficiency and operational success.

Ethiopian Airlines, the largest Aviation Group in Africa and SKYTRAX Certified Four Star Global Airline  announced that it has won 2018 Best Airlines in Africa Award for the 7th year in a row from African Airlines Association (AFRAA). The award was given on November 27, 2018 in recognition of its exceptional financial performance at the 50th high profile African Airline Association Annual General Assembly taking place in Rabat, Morocco.  Group CEO of Ethiopian Airlines, Tewolde GebreMariam, remarked:

 “We are thrilled to win this prestigious award.  In the last seven years we have been coming to AFRAA AGA and receiving this continental high-profile award every single year. We sincerely thank AFRAA and our sister African Airlines for the award. The award underscores the continuous efforts and hard work of Ethiopian employees who are highly committed for the extra ordinary success of our airline.”

Group CEO of Ethiopian Airlines, Tewolde GebreMariam.

GebreMariam  also stated that Africa is registering rapid economic growth “which holds a very strong future and I would like to remind my fellow industry partners, governments and all stakeholders that we all need to strategize on how we all can work together to capitalize on the opportunities arising from the business and investment boom in the continent and take the role of air connectivity to the next level. Most of all, we all need to synergize our strengths to realize the vision of creating a single and unified African Air Transport market.”

Ethiopian Airlines Launched Africa’s First Airbus A350 on Addis Ababa – London Heathrow Route in 2016

Credit: your.heathrow.com /   Africa’s first and most technologically advanced aircraft Airbus A350 XWB was launched on the London Heathrow route 14th August 2016. The A350 operates from Ethiopian’s hub, Addis Ababa Bole International Airport (ADD)

Ethiopian offers daily non-stop services between Heathrow to Addis Ababa with onward connections to 51 destinations on the African continent

Credit: Ethiopian Airlines. / The Business class cabin, ‘Cloud 9’,  of Airbus A350  is outfitted with 30 state-of-the-art diamond seats which fully lie-flat bed in a 2x2x2 configuration, offering superior comfort and privacy for its premium travelers.

Ethiopian commands the lion’s share of the pan-African passenger and cargo network operating the youngest and most modern fleet to 93 international destinations across five continents. Ethiopian fleet includes ultra-modern and environmentally friendly aircraft such as Airbus A350, Boeing 787, Boeing 777-300ER, Boeing 777-200LR, Boeing 777-200 Freighter, Bombardier Q-400 double cabin with an average fleet age of five years. Ethiopian is the first airline in Africa to own and operate these aircraft. Source: Ethiopian Airlines.