Ethiopian Airlines launches new flights to 2 African cities

The Ethiopian Airlines on Sunday commenced flights to its new routes in two African cities -- Ndola of Zambia, and Blantyre of Malawi. The launch of the new routes has raised the number of Ethiopian' s destinations to 46 on the African continent. Ndola, Zambia's third largest city, has become the second destination of the Ethiopian Airlines in Zambia next to Lusaka, and so is Blantyre of Malawi next to Lilongwe. Speaking on the occasion, Esayas Woldemariam, Chief Commercial Officer of the Ethiopian Airlines, said, the addition of the new routes and increasing African destinations by Ethiopian Airlines shows the Ethiopian's commitment to linking the African continent to the rest of the world. Esayas particularly told Xinhua that the Ethiopian Airlines is ever expanding its networks across the world. Reiterating that the Ethiopian has the largest network in Africa, the chief said its network expansion on the continent helps Africa better trade with itself and with outside the continent. "We are launching a couple of destinations today in Africa which are Blantyre in Malawi as well as Ndola in Zambia although we have already Lusaka and Lilongwe in those countries. So, these are additions and it will make the total destination on African continent 46," said Esayas. "This is the testament of the Ethiopian commitment to the whole continent to discharge and fulfill our civic duties linking Africa to the rest of the world," he noted. Esayas also stated that with its large inter-Africa network the Ethiopian Airlines is trying to help Africa trade each other as well as foster relations and cooperation among African countries on cultures, economics, and activities of import and export. Attending the launching ceremony of the flights to the two African cities, Mbuya Isaac Munlo, Malawian Ambassador to Ethiopia, hailed the commencement of Ethiopian's flights to Blantyre very important as Addis Ababa is a main transit for Malawian and other travelers. The Ambassador said it helps foster social and economic interactions between the peoples of Malawi and Ethiopia. Addis Ababa is a main transit for Malawians travelling from different parts of the world going back home and the Ethiopian Airlines is the main carrier, he said, adding with the Addis- Blantyre flight Malawians and other travelers would be able to travel timely and conveniently to handle their businesses in good time. The Ambassador also hailed the Ethiopian Airlines' contribution for integration in Africa by connecting African countries. "It is connecting African cities; it is connecting African countries. This is in line with the African project of integration, integration that has to do with connection; integration that has to do with bringing people together; integration that has to do with being able to move from one place in Africa to another place in Africa without moving outside the continent for connections," said the ambassador. He also noted that the connection helps further strengthen interactions and relations between Malawi and Ethiopia in various areas. "Interactions may be social, it may be commercial; but it definitely strengthens relations; it strengthens the understanding; it increases exchanges in terms of trade and inters of other economic activities," he said.