After more than a decade away from Liberia’s airspace, Ethiopian Airlines has officially resumed flights to and fro the country. The Boeing 787-8 flight landed at the Roberts International Airport on Saturday, November 30, 2024, from Addis Ababa with 261 passengers onboard which marked a significant milestone in the country’s aviation industry.
Ethiopian Airlines will touch Liberian soil three times a week including Monday, Wednesday and Saturday. The airline aims to support Liberia’s socio-economic growth while providing travelers with seamless connection to the rest of the world through its extensive global network.
Speaking at the inaugural program, President Joseph N. Boakai described the resumption of the Ethiopian flight as a “reopening of air route” in Liberia. “The arrival of Ethiopian Airlines to Liberia after several years and decades signifies much more than the reopening of the air route. It is a powerful symbol of the two countries’ friendship, natural respect and a shared African heritage,” he said.
According to him, the recommencement of the airlines is a boost to Liberia’s aviation industry, but signifies the friendship between the two countries. The Liberian leader stated that with the resumption of Ethiopian Airlines, the two nations will share history of travels, resilience and trine, which is a testament to the confidence and protection that Liberia has demonstrated in the first year of his administration.
He said the direct flight from Ethiopia to Liberia will open up opportunities, not only for trade and tourism, but also to enhance cooperation in areas like education and culture.
For his part, Lemma Yadecha, Ethiopian Airlines Chief Commercial Officer, said Addis Ababa has a long-standing history with Monrovia, having integrated its first flight service to Monrovia in November 1966; since then, Ethiopian Airlines has built a legacy based on trust, reliability and the strong ties between the two nations.
“This endeavoring relationship, both in good and challenging times, continues to fuel our ambition to serve Monrovia and the region,” Yadecha said. He said the mission of the airlines is to provide connections to the vast global destinations. “Our nations are blessed with beautiful natural gifts and abundant resources from Ethiopia’s stunning heritage. We are proud to be a part of your legacy,” he said.
By Prince Saah
