Mr Mario Diaz, Executive Director, Houston Airport, U.S. on Tuesday said the newly-launched Ethiopian Airlines route to Houston would inject over $100 million (N30.6 billion) into the local economy annually.
Diaz made this known in a welcome address at the official launch of the maiden Ethiopian Airlines flight to Houston,U.S.
“Now we have direct business access to Africa. The Ethiopian Airline routes to Houston will inject over $100 million into the local economy every single year.
“Houston dynamic economy will be shining economy to rest of the nations.
“Houston is now officially and newly-reconnected to African continent which is making us one of the very cities of the world that are connected to six continents on the planet.
“Ethiopian Airlines will be providing services from Togo in Lome on Boeing 787 flight three times daily which is key in keeping global market in West Africa,’’ he said.
Diaz said that Houston was known for international cooperation including largest company in West Africa.
He said: “Now we will have direct access to West Africa, a key global market for any serious trading partner.
“We have a great unity and respect for people; that is why the partnership is so significant. From business perspective, Houston is known for its numerous international cooperation.’’
Diaz said this would further strengthen international business between Africa and the Houston Government.
“We have great unity and respect for culture, Houston is known for international corporations that support West Africa,’’ he said.
In his remarks, the Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO, Mr Tewolde GebreMariam, said the new direct inaugural Ethiopian Airlines flight to Houston would now connect Houston with the entire African continent.
GebreMariam said that Houston would be the 127th international destinations of Ethiopian Airlines; fifth in America and with 130 aircraft.
He said that Houston handled 53 million passengers annually, saying that the state would be connected with West Africa, Middle East and Asia.
According to him, the connection has been designed in such a way that it will be one of the most direct and one of the most fastest routes of the entire continent of West Africa, Middle East and Asia.
“Houston is the fifth gate way in North America, next to Washington, New York and Chicago.
“We have been working very hard for a long period of time to fly to Houston.
“It has taken us a long time but finally we are here and we are very happy to announce the inaugural flight today and officially declare the aircraft open.
“So, it is very important to connect East Africa, West Africa and Central Africa but also very important to have direct connection to West Africa,’’ he said.
The Ethiopian Airlines’ boss said the airline was now the largest airline in Africa with 130 aircraft.
According to GebreMariam, this makes it the largest airline with the most extensive network in the world connecting Africa with the rest of the world.
He said: “We are all proud to witness the fastest growing airline that has been in existence since the last one decade.
“Aligning with our vision 2025, Ethiopian Airlines is the largest in terms of passenger network, cargo network and now expanding in tourism with the largest hotels in Ethiopia.
“This had been achieved with hard work of more than 16,000 of my colleagues all over the world working day and night to make the airlines shine high in the sky.
“So, a very laudable greeting goes to all workers at Ethiopian Airlines.”
GebreMariam commended the management of Houston Airport for their support toward the realisation of the Ethiopian Airlines flight to U.S.
“Flying to Houston has given the confirmation that Ethiopian Airlines is fully on ground in Houston.
“We have brought over 80 Ethiopian tourists to visit Houston on this inaugural flight. This shows how traffic is going to be in the future toward moving in and out of Houston to the entire African continent.
The inaugural flight recorded support from the U.S. Government with officials at the launch of the flight.
