By Staff Reporter

Ethiopian Airlines will continue its scheduled flights to Nigeria despite the withdrawal of some airlines from Lagos and Abuja.

The airline’s country manager for Nigeria, Solomon Begashaw, said: “As a veteran pan-African carrier it has always been our source of pride to serve our beloved continent … both in good and bad times.”

Begashaw added that the airline “has been part of Nigeria’s historic growth” since independence in the 1960s “and always considers itself as a partner in the history” of the country.

“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,” he said. 

“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 there by showing its African solidarity.”

Currently, Ethiopian serves Nigerian travellers in Lagos, Abuja, Enugu and Kano. The company has also launched a recruitment drive for Nigerian pilots via its local training academy to fly its growing fleet of Boeing and Dash 8 aircraft in the region.

Meanwhile, the airlines is set to increase its flight frequency from Addis Ababa to Cape Town to 10 times weekly from 1 December, as well as operate the new Boeing 787 Dreamliner on the route.

Ethiopian’s country manager for Ireland Michael Yohannes said: “The increase in flights to Cape Town, which is our third gateway in South Africa, will offer our Irish passengers more choice, convenience and comfort, whether travelling on business or for leisure purposes.”