Ethiopian Airlines on Monday launched its inaugural three times weekly flights to Houston, Texas.
At a brief ceremony to flag off the inaugural flight in Lome,Togo, Ethiopian Airlines’ Vice President, Marketing, Rahel Assefa, assured passengers of exciting journey on the new route.
The Ethiopian 787-8 aircraft to Houston flagged off the trip in Togò enroute Houston for the grand breaking.
According to her, Its going to be a good flights for the entire West African region travelling to Houston, Texas.
” From next week, we expected see full booking from West Africa to Houston.
” Safety and Passenger confortability remains our priority,”she said.
Assafa said that the routes would allow passengers to fly nonstop on Ethiopian Airlines from Houston to Africa.
According to her, Ethiopian’s service to Houston will operate from Addis Ababa via Lome in Togo with Boeing 787-8 aircraft.
“Ethiopian Airlines today launched its new flights to Houston onboard Boeing 787-8 aircraft.
“Early in 2019, we announced that we were changing our services to the United States.
“Service to Los Angeles will terminate in favour of a new thrice-weekly service from Addis Ababa to Houston via Lome, Togo,” she said.
The Ethiopian Airlines boss said that the U.S was among Ethiopian Airlines’ most important markets, owing to the presence of a large African community and growing business and tourism ties with Africa.
“Our new route structure with additional frequencies to multiple gateways and the opening of new route to Houston are aimed at responding to the market demand and availing best possible connectivity to over 60 African destinations.
“The service will depart Addis Ababa on Sundays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Houston departures are on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.
“The flight will depart Addis Ababa after a stop in Lome and a long transatlantic flight, the aircraft will touch down in Houston at the next day.
“Ethiopian’s aircraft will depart Houston at 11:00a.m and finally arrive in Addis Ababa the next day at 14:30,” he said.
She said Houston was chosen because Ethiopian Airlines does not face much competition from Houston to Africa.
”In fact, the airline will be the only carrier to offer flights from Houston to Africa.
“Economically speaking, Houston is an oil and business hub. Thus, there is a significant potential for business connectivity that Ethiopian Airlines is trying to gain access to.
“Business and leisure travellers alike will have only one nonstop option to Africa from Houston.
“Addis Ababa is at a high altitude. Thus, the aerodynamics concerning take off is not favourable for launching nonstop service to the United States.
”In fact, Ethiopian Airlines flies several one-stops from Addis Ababa to the United States and other destinations in part due to this problem.
“However, instead of operating nonstop in the eastbound, Ethiopian Airlines can route via Lome and offer additional connections there through ASKY airlines- with whom Ethiopian Airlines partners,” she said.
Assafa said Ethiopian Airlines keeps on growing, adding that with this new flight, Africa’s largest carrier would offer new connections both to and from the U.S.
She described Africa as a unique and growing aviation market with incredible potential.
Also speaking Area Managèr for Ethiopian Aiŕlines in Lomè, Mr Elias Gebrelmadin, said the 787-8 aircraft was the latest technology and its going to be a direct flight from Lome to Houston.
Gebrelmadin said the official launch of the Ethiopian Airlines in Lome was to demonstrate commitment and readiness to serve its customers better.
According to him, Lome will be an assembly ground for passengers coming from all African countries to board direct flights to Houston.
” The flight is affordable than any other flighs going to Houston in United States. From next year we are going to introduce discounts for passengers.
” We have designed a special package to ensure effective customer friendly services that is second to none,” he said
The Lome Area manager, said the flight was distinct because its direct and timely compared to other airlines.
Passengers of the inaugural flight were given special gifts to welcome them on board, while the flight left for Houston immediately after Assefa addressed stakeholders in Lome Airport.
