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18 August, 2007
The Ethiopian Airlines' request for permission to start flights to Canada has encountered resistance from a certain group of individuals residing in that country.
"We asked for permission that would enable us to start regular flight service to Canada. We were told by the Canadian government that many Ethiopians who have Canadian passport signed a petition protesting the Ethiopian request," Ethiopian CEO, Girma Wake, told a press conference held last week.
"These individuals urged the Canadian government not allow Ethiopian to fly to Canada. They presented the petition to the Canadian government. This blocked our request for a permit," Girma said.
The management of the airlines spoke to members of the Ethiopian community in Canada about the said petition. They told us that they were unaware of the petition. They assured us that they didn't sign such a petition. Finally, we found out that the individuals who signed the petition were not Ethiopians. The individuals were non-Ethiopians who emigrate to Canada with Ethiopian passport," Girma said.
The CEO said that the individuals had a political intention aimed at inflicting harm on Ethiopia. "This group of individuals does not want to see the prosperity of the airlines. The airlines does not interfere in political affairs. It existed under three regimes. But it remains as an Ethiopian airline," he added.
In a related news, Ethiopian airlines resumed flight to the capital of Somaliland, Hargeysa. Last month, the airline suspended the flight to the self-declared state for one week because of operational problems at the Hargeysa airport. The problem was related to safety and security.
A Somaliland delegation led by President Dahir Rayaleh Kahin discussed the issue with executives of Ethiopian airlines. In the meeting recently held in Addis Ababa, the Somaliland authorities assured Ethiopian executives that they would improve the airport service.
The authorities said they would ensure airport security. Ethiopian has four weekly flights to Hargeysa. It is the only international airline that has regular flights to Somaliland. Ethiopia and Somaliland has good diplomatic and trade relations.
By Kaleyesus Bekele - Ethiopian Reporter