Ethiopian Airlines joins global Best Airline Alliance
By Tesfa-Alem Tekle
December 14, 2011 (ADDIS ABABA) — Ethiopian Airlines on Wednesday officially became a new member of the Star Alliance global network making the flag carrier the third member carrier on the African Continent, joining Egypt air and South African Airways.
The membership grant comes after the Chief Executive Board (CEB) of Star Alliance in September 2010 unanimously approved the application of Ethiopian Airlines to join the global network.
“Today we have taken a large step forward in completing our Africa strategy,” said Jaan Albrecht, CEO of Star Alliance, announcing the membership at a ceremony held at Addis Ababa’s Bole International Airport.
“With Ethiopian Airlines now part of the Star Alliance network, we offer our customers the widest choice of flights connecting to, from and within Africa. Moreover, Ethiopian Airlines will bring the Star Alliance customer benefits to more markets across Africa, a region of the world in which air travel is enjoying steady growth rates.”
Through membership in Star Alliance, Ethiopian Airlines will gain access to the many new markets across the globe and more business travelers from Ethiopia or from across Africa will benefit.
It further allows passengers more convenient flight schedules and larger flight network.
“Ethiopian’s extensive intra-African network will provide more choice for our travelers and bring the Star Alliance benefits to new markets,” Albrecht added.
The Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Ababa, is a seat to the African Union and home to many international organizations like the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa and the Airlines will now be able to cover major commercial and political cities of the continent and worldwide flight connections at special rates.
“It is another historical milestone for Ethiopian to join this most prestigious and longest serving Alliance in the world,” said Tewolde Gebremariam, CEO Ethiopian Airlines.
“This day will remain colourfully marked in our history book,” he further said, stressing that this event is in line with their efforts to lay a strong foundation for the airline to achieve its vision 2025 objectives.
The new membership has brought the total number of Star members to 28 since the Alliance was established in 1997 by five of the world’s leading airlines: Air Canada, Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airlines, Thai Airways International and United Airlines.
Star Network covers more than 21,100 daily departures combined. These flights reach 1,290 airports in 189 countries, with an annual passenger number of 607.5 million.
(ST)