adminBy Costa Mano Herald Reporter
ingrained in every traveller’s mind.
With the stoppage of flights into Southern Africa by Malaysian Airways and South African Airways’ retreat from the Kuala Lumpur route, Ethiopian Airlines saw an opportunity to provide an alternative carrier into a magnificent city that ardent travellers should experience at some point.
ET or simply, yet proudly, Ethiopian has a rich aviation history and has become one of the continent’s leading carriers, unrivalled in Africa for efficiency and operational success, turning profits for most years of its existence.
Ethiopian Airlines was established on December 21, 1945. As one of the pioneer African Airlines, Ethiopian has come a long way since its humble beginnings, with DC-3/C-47 aircraft. Operating at the forefront of technology, it has now become one of Ethiopia’s major industries and a veritable institution in Africa, operating a modern and environmental friendly 58 plane fleet.
It commands the lion’s share of the pan-African network including the only daily east-west flight across the continent.
The airline is currently implementing its 15-year strategic plan called “Vision 2025” with the goal of becoming the most competitive and leading aviation group in Africa.
Its green, yellow and red emblem is recognised almost everywhere as the symbol of the Ethiopian flag carrier.
Joining Star Alliance in December 2011 as its 28th member has opened up wider opportunities for ET’s customers and the airline itself. Through the alliance, the airline can now access over 21 000 daily flights to more than 1 100 destinations in 193 countries. An airline alliance is an association between two or more airlines to co-operate on a substantial level and further the common interests of its members. Alliances provide a network of connectivity and convenience for international passengers. Airline alliances help address the constantly changing realities of global travel as they focus on the airlines’ common interests to enhance air travel benefits and experiences for their targeted customers.
The first large alliance started in 1989, when Northwest and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines agreed to code sharing on a large scale. Another giant step was taken in 1992 when the Netherlands signed the first open skies agreement with the United States, in spite of objections from the European Union authorities.
This gave both countries unrestricted landing rights on each other’s soil. Any adjustments take negotiating, often between governments rather than the companies involved. The United States was so pleased with the independent position that the Dutch took versus the EU that it granted antitrust immunity to the alliance between Northwest and KLM. Other alliances would struggle for years to overcome transnational barriers and still do so.
There are three major alliances in the airline industry: Star Alliance was founded in 1997, which forced competing airlines to form (Oneworld) in 1999 and (SkyTeam) in 2000. Star Alliance increased ET’s global reach, through enhanced code share agreements and seamless connectivity with partner airlines. For its customers, Star Alliance can offer very attractive customer propositions like enhanced Frequent Flyer Programme benefits, seamless travel and greater network access. Most importantly, for the traveller is the fact that this has helped the airline to continuously improve service standards something the writer can testify to. Recently, a 10-member delegation of travel agents and tour operators led by ET’s affable and hilarious Eugenia Kufakowadya was taken on a familiarisation tour of Malaysia’s Kuala Lumpur with a return stop in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The writer had the pleasure of flying on Cloud Nine which is Business Class in other airlines and this meant access to exclusive Star Alliance lounges from Harare through to the final destination. Because SAA and ET are the only members landing at Harare International Airport means the lounge there is only shared between the two members. Cloud Nine was inspired by the idea that flying should always feel special and as the expression infers the flight should give the traveller a feeling of well-being or elation.
Luxurious seats, fine dining and wining puts Cloud Nine in a class of its own. Some of the amenities provided in the class include socks, eye shades, moisturiser, ear plugs amongst other conveniences while the kids get their hands on puzzles, colouring books and so on. The warm towels were a pleasure especially on such a long- haul flight.
ET is the only airline that lifts menus from every route it flies meaning passengers will be on a culinary trail the further the destination as well as the scheduled transit stops you make.
November 2012 saw the airline opening the first phase of its new Cloud Nine lounge at its main hub, Addis Ababa’s Bole International Airport, with modern facilities and amenities comfortable for premium travellers.
In line with its vision 2025 fast growth plan and with the exponential growth in passenger numbers, it became necessary to build a brand new lounge that gives premium travellers the best possible on-ground experience while waiting for their flights.
The Zimbabwean group had the chance to sample some of Ethiopia traditional cuisine and get in touch with loved ones back home while waiting for the connecting flight to Kuala Lumpur.
When fully completed, the new Cloud Nine lounge will be three times bigger than the existing one. It has a quiet corner with sleeping cots and individual reading lamps; massage chairs, where passengers can relax and rest; an internet corner with fixed stations as well as free and fast Wi-Fi connection.
On the return from Kuala Lumpur, travellers can enjoy the same luxury while waiting for their flight to Addis Ababa in the Star Alliance Plaza Premium Lounge with largely the same amenities to the other lounges. Your ticket will take care of all your food, drinks and Wi-Fi in the lounge which is a good place to make new friends flying out of Kuala Lumpur to various destinations across the globe.
What was universal in all the lounges was the quality of service offered by the friendly waiters who will attend to your every need and you will not have to worry about missing your flight as you will be kept abreast of developments on time.
Flying to Kuala Lumpur three times from Harare, Zimbabwean travellers will be in for treat if they take the chance to fly on Cloud Nine and experience five star treatment on with Star Alliance’s Ethiopian Airlines.
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