For Immediate Release
April 13, 2020, Toronto, Ontario –Ethiopian Airlines has repatriated over 1000 Canadian residents and diplomats from various countries including, Nigeria, Sudan, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, Senegal, Democratic Republic of Congo, Keyna, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Cameroon, Ghana, Tanzania, Turkey and Mozambique. In addition, over 200 Canadian nationals have been evacuated out of Nigeria via the Murtala Muhammed International Airport.
“We are extremely proud of all the work we are doing with Global Affairs Canada to bring all the Canadians home,” said Samson Arega Ethiopian Airlines Canada Country Manager. We were greeted with positive feedback from all the passengers. All arrived safely and were happy to be home.”
Arega added that additional flights this weekend are being planned to bring home more Canadians.
“I want to share my profound appreciation for the help Mr. Samson Arega, the Country Manager of Canada has provided in the middle of a crisis. I am the husband of a teacher who chaperoned a group of 8 students to Zimbabwe. When the COVID crisis hit, their tickets out were cancelled and the airlines we had booked with provided no real support. We had no relation with Ethiopian airlines at this point. Mr. Arega helped secure a flight out of Zimbabwe at a time when this looked impossible. He provided a caring human touch and did not rest until flights were secured all the way back to Toronto, offering assurances all the way. His assistant Tingert also patiently reassured me and kept me updated. Zimbabwe announced a total lockdown hours after the flight left,” said Jaap ter Haar passenger on Ethiopian Flight to Canada.
About Ethiopian Airlines
Ethiopian Airlines (Ethiopian) is the largest and fastest-growing airline in Africa. For more than 70 years of operation, Ethiopian is the continent’s leading carrier, unrivalled in efficiency and operational success.
Ethiopian operates the youngest and most modern fleet to more than 127 international passenger and cargo destinations across five continents. The Ethiopian fleet includes ultra-modern and environmentally friendly aircraft, such as Airbus A350, Boeing 787 Dreamliner, Boeing 777-300ER, Boeing 777-200LR, Boeing 777-200 Freighter, and Bombardier Q-400 double cabin. The average age of the aircraft is five years. Ethiopian is the first airline in Africa to own and operate these aircraft.
Ethiopian Airlines flies direct from Toronto to Addis Ababa five times weekly. This route will now be serviced with our Airbus 350. Ethiopian Airlines is the largest airline in Africa, with one of the youngest fleets in the world. Ethiopian Airlines, a Star Alliance member, is currently the only African operator of the Airbus.
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