Senior officials of the Ethiopian, and Ethiopian Airports Enterprise welcomed the first fight of the Angolan airliner with senior Angolan government officials and journalists on board late on 24 Nov. 2007 at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport.

Speaking at the occasion, Ethiopian Chief Operating Officer Tewolde Gebremariam said the launching of the Lawanda-Addis Ababa flight would enhance the age-long bilateral relations that exist between the two sisterly countries, especially in economic, social, and political arena.

He said Ethiopian has been flying to Angola for more than two decades and thereby linking Angola with Europe, Middle East and Asian countries. The Ethiopian flies to Angola three times a week.

Angolan Airlines has played a key role in enabling the Ethiopian increase its flight to Angola, according to the chief.

Cargo and Mail and Associate Enterprises Vice President with the Angolan Airlines, Luis Edwardo Dos Santos said on his part the carrier is honored to launch flight to Addis Ababa City, which is seat of the African Union (AU).

He said the Angolan Airlines has plans to use Addis Ababa City as a center for flights to Europe, Middle East, and Far East.

Besides meeting customers’ satisfaction, Dos Santos said the launch of the flight to Addis Ababa City would enable Angola to enhance cooperation with various African countries.

The cooperation between Angola and Ethiopia in various sectors has been growing since the Ethiopian launched flight to Angola in 1986.

A number of aircraft technicians from Ethiopia are working at Angolan airlines, said the president.

Representatives of the two airliners said they would be working to together toward the development of the aviation sector in Africa.

Chief of the Bole International Airport with the Ethiopian Airports Enterprise, Hailai Gebresadiq said the launching of flight indicates that the Addis Ababa Bole International Airport has become a hub for many African airliners.

Airliners from Turkey, Netherlands, and other countries have launched new international flights to Addis Ababa City during the last three years.

T...10:50-11-45

E- 2:45-2:58

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