Ethiopian Airlines plans flights to Sierra Leone
By Abdul Karim Koroma
ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA — Some members of staff of the Sierra Leone Embassy in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, recently held fruitful discussions with the Chief Executive Officer of Ethiopian Airlines, Mr. Girma Wake on plans for the Ethiopian Airlines carrier to commence flights to Freetown.
The meeting was held at the Ethiopian Airlines head office at Bole International Airport, Addis Ababa.
The meeting was necessitated against the backdrop of the fact that Ethiopian Airlines is slated to commence regular flights to the Republic of Guinea and Liberia starting 1st October, 2009 leaving out Sierra Leone.
The Ethiopian Airlines Chief Executive was informed that for reasons of proximity it would be better if Freetown was brought on board the West African arrangement.
Responding, Wake assured the staff members that their representation will be given serious consideration even though at the moment his airline is constrained by the low availability of flights and personnel. He added however that the situation would be remedied very soon.
In this vein, he explained that arrangements are underway for Ethiopian Airlines to commence flights to Freetown by mid November or the first week of December latest.
He further stated that the airline would start with two flights weekly to be increased to thrice weekly.
The route would be Addis Ababa-Lagos-Lome-Freetown. The leg from Addis Ababa to Lome would be operated by Ethiopian Airlines while the Lome to Freetown route would be under the auspices of ASKAI Airlines also operated by Ethiopian Airlines.
Do not fly with Ethiopian Airlines! Both domestic and international flights with EA were HORRIFIC. London to Addis in economy: the plane was ancient, seats did not recline for a 9 hour flight (!), no entertainment. Domestic flights were worse, and EA staff was downright abusive to passengers. On a flight from Dire dawa to Addis passengers were kept in an extremely hot check in area for over 10 hours with no food or water. Staff continually lied and intentionally misinformed us about our flight status. The flight was eventually cancelled at 1am, when EA asked us to leave the airport and had not arranged transportation hotels or food. It was the worst travel experience I have ever had. DO NOT travel with EA!
Y Nomel
5 Nov 09 at 11:38 am