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27 January, 2008
The national carrier Ethiopian Airlines has started an investigation into how two stowaways managed to board its Boeing 767 aircraft that flew from Addis Ababa to Washington DC on Tuesday evening, it was learnt.
Flight number ET 500 departed from the Addis Ababa Bole International Airport on Tuesday at 22:30 hours. After a stopover in Rome for refueling, the aircraft landed in Washington at Dulles International Airport on Wednesday at about 15:00 hours. The two unidentified men who were on board unnoticed were found during a security inspection.
The public relations department of Ethiopian told The Reporter that the airline have not yet received official notification of the incident from US authorities. However, it said it was investigating how the individuals gained access to the aircraft, adding it will disclose the details when the ongoing investigation is finalized. According to Ethiopian, no passenger did get on the aircraft in Rome as the plane landed there only for refueling. Officials of the Ethiopian Airports Administration were not available for comment.
A US spokeswoman, Pat Reilly, was quoted by AP as saying the individuals are being held on misdemeanor charges of entering the United States without inspection. They likely face deportation if it turns out they acted alone, but there could be more serious charges if investigators learn anyone else was involved or if the men were to be testing security, Reilly said.
Ethiopian could face a fine for carrying individuals who do not posses proper travel document. IATA and ICAO regard Ethiopian as one the few African carriers which have an excellent safety record.
By Kaleyesus Bekele - Ethiopian Reporter