The Ethiopian Foreign Affairs Minister Seyoum Mesfin said the partnership between the Ethiopian and ASKY airlines marks the truly historic intra-African cooperation in the airline business
Togolese President Faure Essozimna Gnassingbe lauded Ethiopia?s effort to advance the African aviation industry.
The Minister was speaking at the operational commencement of ASKY airline held in Lome Town recently. Seyoum, who is also chairperson of Ethiopian Board of Directors, said Ethiopian airlines and ASKY have entered into a unique form of business partnership and alliance to fill the void created by the absence of sufficient air transport service across many nations of the continent particularly in the central and west African region.
He said Africa lags behind in the development of transportation and communication infrastructure which is vital for the advancement of all aspects of life including industry, agriculture and education, among others. Seyoum expressed belief that ASKY will play vital role in bringing Africans closer to each other and to the rest of the world.
Seyoum said Africa needs to develop its aviation industry in order to accelerate its social economic progress and provide efficient service in global mobility for its people. The minister said Ethiopia is committed to do whatever it takes to support initiatives such as Ethiopian /ASKY partnership. Founder and ASKY chairperson of Board of Directors Gervais Koffi Djondo said Ethiopian airlines has remarkably contributed for the realization of ASKY. Ethiopian, which is the leading and exemplary carrier in Africa, has played significant role to commence ASKY's operation as per the schedule.
Ethiopian has 25 percent share while African investors, regional economic blocs and African banks share the balance , he said and called up on stakeholders to make the ASKY effective in the business.
ASKY Airline CEO, Bussera Awol on the occasion said the ASKY airline has signed a five-year-long management contract
with the Ethiopian Airlines, Africa's newest international airline. Ethiopian CEO, Girma Wake said despite addressing the West African air transport problems it would enhance air transport service in the region. Girma said Ethiopian?s dream to make hub in West Africa comes true through the commencement of ASKY. He said Ethiopia is benefiting Africa.
The commencement of ASKY airline indicates that Africans can work together. Meanwhile, Ethiopian has received from the Togolese President Faure Essozimna Gnassingbe the Togolese medallion of honor at a ceremony held at Togolese National Palace . . Ethiopian Board of Directors? chairperson and CEO have also received awards for outstanding performance of the airliner.
It was disclosed that Ethiopian has provided two Boeing 737 aircrafts and has trained 45 stewardesses for ASKY, which is established with 120 million USD.
Source (ENA)
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