The first Ethiopian Airlines flight, Boeing 787 Dreamliner, landed in Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) yesterday, December 17, 2019, marking a historic moment–the beginning of a new service route connecting Houston to sub-Saharan nations. The new service will operate three times per week beginning with a nonstop route connecting IAH to Lomé–Tokoin Airport (LFW) in Lomé, the capital of Togo in West Africa.
At a colorful event at the Arrival Terminal hub of the George Bush Airport, the airline explained the need for this historic moment. Houston known as the “energy capital of the world has been a home for an alarming number of African indigenes with dominant economic potentials.
Addressing the audience, Houston Aviation Director Mario Diaz reinstated a commitment to re-establishing the direct connection with Houston and Africa. ”We fully support Ethiopian Airlines in bringing this effort to fruition,” he said. Chief Executive Officer of Ethiopian Airlines, Mr. Tewolde GebreMariam narrated the inevitable need for this venture. “The U.S. is among our most important markets owing to the presence of a large African community and growing investment, trade and tourism relations with Africa”, he said.
This move by the Ethiopian Airlines came at the right time, to reinforce the latest developments between Houston and major African nations. According to the Greater Houston Partnership, bedsides its commanding the lead in global energy ventures, Houston is the headquarters and the intellectual capital for virtually every segment of the energy industry including exploration, production, transmission, marketing, supply, and technology. Complimenting these potentials are major oil and gas companies from Africa operating in Houston. A new comprehensive report from the International Energy Agency (IEA) predicted a massive increase in the energy sector in the coming decades in Africa.
The Boeing 787 Dreamliner is a long-haul, mid-size wide-body, twin-engine jet airliner manufactured by Boeing Commercial Airplanes. It is the first airliner with an airframe constructed primarily of composite materials. According to Ethiopian Airlines, a Cloud Nine class is equipped with sleeper seats while the Economy Class has reclining seats with more legroom and spacious cabin. Furthermore, services would include a state of the art on-demand Audio and Video services with 15.4-inch IFE screens and 85 channels in Cloud Nine and 8.9 inch and 80 different channels in Economy Class, offering an array of entertainment to passengers of all age.
The new service by Ethiopian Airlines will fulfill transportation needs for these companies and many business individuals. Consequently, it would provide convenient transportation need to a large Houston’s African community, especially the Nigerians.
Ethiopian Airlines (Ethiopian) is the flag carrier of Ethiopia and one of the continent’s leading carriers, unrivaled in Africa for efficiency and operational success, turning profits for almost all the years of its existence. The Airline currently serves 100 international and 21 domestic destinations operating the newest and youngest fleet.
♦ Feature image (left to right): Chief Executive Officer of Ethiopian Airlines, Mr. Tewolde GebreMariam, and Houston Aviation Director Mario Diaz reinstated in a warm handshake during the event.
- 75Yr – Old Barber Arrested In Awka For Defiling 8yr Old Girl - May 2, 2024
- Anambra police nabs 16 cultists, declares 21 wanted - April 27, 2024
- Anambra 2025 Governorship Election Might Be an Open Contest - April 24, 2024
