Why we operated all-female flight to Lagos, by Mekonnen

Firihewot Mekonnen is the first General Manager, Ethiopian Airlines (Nigeria). In this interview, she speaks on the epoch-making all female flight by the airline captained by Amsale Gualu to Lagos last week Saturday and the stride the carrier has made in aviation sector.

 Your impression about the historic all women flight

I am most honoured to welcome you all to the epoch-making event happening for the first time in Africa. I am most privileged to be a woman, the first Female General Manager of Ethiopian Airlines in Nigeria and also to be the one receiving this very important flight to Lagos. Ethiopian Airlines has decided to always reward the Nigerian travellers for the loyalty they have shown to the Airline. This is the reason that we are bringing the first all women operated flight in Africa to Lagos Nigeria. The flight today (Saturday) by Capt Amsale Gualu had 391 passengers; 363 in economy and 28 in Business Class on a B777- 300. Every aspect of the flight was handled by women.

READ ALSO:  Airbus, Emirates reach agreement on A380 fleet, sign new wide-body orders

 

On partnership with Nigeria

Nigeria is not just our great partner but also a country that has shown Africa what women can do. Women can achieve a lot and Nigeria is a leading light in women empowerment in Africa. One of first women pilots in Africa is a Nigerian. Today Ethiopian Airlines, Africa’s first 4 star airline is proud to be the first to operate an all  women operated  flight to Nigeria. We are all witnesses to history today. We wish to thank our Nigerian passengers and government for the growth of Ethiopian Airlines in Nigeria.

READ ALSO:  Operators threaten to shut oil services, demand pilots" release

Ethiopian’s operations to Nigeria

Ethiopian Airlines started Flying to Nigeria in 1960 and today flies to five cities in Nigeria with the most modern aircraft including the B787 Dreamliner and the Airbus A350. We fly to Lagos, Abuja, Enugu, Kano and Kaduna. You may wish to recall that when Abuja airport was closed, we were the only International airline that flew to Kaduna and the first Airline to resume flights to Abuja. So it is not surprising that we are the first International Airline to do an all women operated flight to Nigeria and this is our first time in Africa. Thank you for always standing with us as we stand with Nigeria.

Wole Shadare