Ethiopian Airlines inaugurates the first long haul line to Africa
Genève Aéroport and Ethiopian Airlines inaugurated today a long haul line to Addis Ababa by last generation Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners. Geneva is now connected to the Ethiopian capital three times a week, creating a link between International Geneva and the headquarters of the African Union. Similarly, the Ethiopian airport is a true continental hub that, starting today, offers easier access to multiple destinations on the African continent, departing from Geneva.
The inauguration ceremony was held in the presence of Mr Tewolde GebreMariam, CEO of Ethiopian Airlines, Doctor Tedros Adhanom Gebreyesus, Director general of WHO, HE Mr Negash Kebret, Ambassador of Ethiopia in Geneva and Mr Jean-Marc Flükiger, Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of Switzerland in Ethiopia. The Manager of Genève Aéroport, Mr André Schneider was present to welcome the guests of the first flight landing at 7.25 am. The flight was greeted, as the tradition says, by the water fountains of the fire brigade.
André Schneider is happy about this new connection: “The arrival of Ethiopian Airlines is the culmination of Genève Aéroport’s efforts to develop an intercontinental quality service that meets the needs of its market. This success completes the connections open in the past toward China, the Persian Gulf and North America. Moreover, according to our qualitative development strategy, Genève Aéroport is also particularly attentive to promote the arrival of last generation aircraft.”
A new line for the benefit of diplomatic and economic exchanges with AfricaThis new route, first long haul line destined for Sub-Saharan Africa, is especially expected by international Geneva and the diplomatic world.
“Geneva hosts the largest number of international organisations in the world, which makes it a diplomatic hub.” It is in perfect complementarity with our hub in Addis Ababa, the diplomatic capital of Africa, which hosts the headquarters of the African Union and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa”, explains Tewolde GebreMariam, CEO of Ethiopian Airlines. He adds: “Government officials and staff of regional and international organisations in Geneva and through our extensive African network will now have great connectivity to complete their missions, with facilitated trips.”
Industries such as finance, trading or export industries - not to mention tourism - will also benefit from this new air capacity to Ethiopia and the entire region.
Ethiopian, first company and gateway to the African continentEthiopian is the largest group of aviation in Africa, established more than 70 years ago. Today it is the carrier of reference for the entire African continent. Ethiopian Airlines serves more than 100 destinations worldwide and operates a particularly young and environmentally friendly fleet. The company is a member of Star Alliance since 2011 and is certified 4-star by SKYTRAX.
Addis Ababa - Bole airport is the hub of the airline and the best platform of correspondence for the entire Africa. With this schedule, Ethiopian Airlines will offer excellent connections to more than 50 African destinations, both for business and tourist travellers. The best connections include Johannesburg, Nairobi, Dar es Salaam, Kinshasa, Luanda, or Victoria Falls.
Even if it is still little known as a tourist destination, Ethiopia has a fascinating culture and history. Second African country in terms of population, with more than 100 million inhabitants, it gives an incomparable variety of landscapes and offers the visitors an exciting Orthodox heritage and stunning national parks.
The large Ethiopian diaspora in Switzerland and many other African communities set in the region and in neighbouring France will also benefit from this new highly anticipated service.
New high-performance aircraft, practical timetablesThe ADD-GVA route will be operated by the all-new Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, which can accommodate 24 passengers in Business Class and 246 in Economy Class. This aircraft - newcomer in the company’s fleet - is one of the most modern on the market. At the forefront of technology in terms of noise and pollution, it offers exceptional comfort to the passengers.
Departure from Geneva:
- Flights on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday
- Departure at 8.45 pm, arrival in Ethiopia at 5.55 am the next day.
Departure from Addis Ababa:
- Flights on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday
- Departure at 11.10 pm, arrival in Switzerland at 7.25 am the next day
Press contact:Abdel Nour TalineCoordinator of the Institutional Communication Service+41 76 554 64 07