Rivers State Government and the management of Ethiopian Airlines have
reached an agreement in principle for the operation of permanent
international flights from the Port Harcourt International Airport,
subject to the approval of the relevant federal authorities.
The two parties reached the agreement at the Headquarters of Ethiopian
Airlines after a high-powered meeting attended by the Group Chief
Executive Officer of Ethiopian Airlines, Dr Tewolde Gebremariam, the
Chief Commercial Officer, Esayas Wolde Mariam, Vice President,
Strategic Planning, Busera Awel, Managing Director, Sales
International, Lemma Yadecha, Regional Director, Sales and Services ,
Western Africa, Mitiku Asrat and Manager, Group Alliance and Commercial
Cooperation, Hewoel Lemma.
Chief Commercial Officer, Esayas Wolde Mariam, in an address declared
that Ethiopian Airlines has agreed to fly permanently from Port
Harcourt International Airport subject to the approval of the Federal
Authorities.
He said: “We are willing and capable to fly into Port Harcourt on a
regular basis. For now, we have exhausted our Bilateral Air Agreement
Approval and we need another approval to operate the Port Harcourt
route.
“We need your help to ensure that approval comes from the Federal
Authorities. At first, there should be a temporary operating permit,
pending the final approval “.
The Chief Commercial Officer added that Ethiopian Airlines needs the
initial support of the Rivers State Government for handling and aviation
infrastructure in Port Harcourt to develop the new Market.
He declared that Ethiopian Airlines will also embark on advertisements
to promote Port Harcourt as a tourist and investment destination.
Vice President, Strategic Planning, Busera Awel of Ethiopian Airlines
made a presentation on the capacity and vision of the Airline for the
continent.
In his response, Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike declared
that the State Government is willing to provide an enabling environment
for Ethiopian Airlines to operate in the state. He assured that he will
meet with the Minister of Aviation to ensure that Port Harcourt
International Airport is approved for Ethiopian Airlines as a
destination.
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike declared that his
administration is working on making Port Harcourt a regional air
transport hub for greater economic development of the state.
He said: “As we therefore consolidate on our achievements, we want to
also focus on making Port Harcourt city a regional air transport hub
through the private public partnership approach while leveraging on the
existing aviation infrastructure and related market and other advantages
of the State.
“I wish to assure you that we are ready to do everything within our
powers and spheres of authority and influence to facilitate the
realization of your interest and desire directly and sustainably fly
from Port Harcourt to Addis Ababa and other parts of the world”.
Governor Wike thanked Ethiopian Airlines for their interest in
expanding and retaining their services in Port Harcourt city. He said
that the Rivers State Government will offer its social partnership,
goodwill and support.
The Governor noted that Port Harcourt is strategically located to serve
as a transit point for the entire South-South and parts of the
South-East.
“We have agreed in principle that there is need for Ethiopian Airlines
to fly from Port Harcourt to other destinations. Port Harcourt is a
destination of choice, as it easily accessible for the entire
South-South and other states in the South-East”, Governor Wike said.
Governor Wike was accompanied by Former Deputy Speaker of House of
Representatives, Rt Hon Austin Opara, Rivers State PDP Chairman, Bro
Felix Obuah, Director General of Rivers State Bureau of Public
Procurement, Mr Thompson Emmanuel, Former House of Assembly Member,
Felix Nwaeke, Former Eleme Local Government Area Chairman, Chief Ejor
N. Ejor and President of Port Harcourt Investors and Entrepreneurs
Forum, Ibifiri Bob-Manuel.
Also on Thursday, Governor Wike was led on a Facility Tour at
Ethiopian Airlines in Addis Ababa. The Governor and his delegation were
briefed on the capacity of Ethiopian Airlines to Service the Port
Harcourt-Addis Ababa International Route.
This route is a gateway to the Middle East and Fast East Asia. It is
also a budget airline to Europe.