– Ethiopia and the United Nations (UN) opened a humanitarian transport hub at Addis Ababa airport on Tuesday, April 14
– The arrangement relies on cargo services provided by Ethiopian Airlines and could partially offset heavy losses Africa’s largest carrier was sustaining because of COVID-19
– Ethiopia’s national carrier also bagged a deal to fly COVID-19 medical supplies across Africa
Ethiopian Airlines has bagged a lucrative deal to fly cargo across Africa in the wake of coronavirus pandemic even as Kenya Airways (KQ) cry foul over the deal.
This came after Ethiopia and the United Nations (UN) opened a humanitarian transport hub at Addis Ababa airport on Tuesday, April 14, to move supplies and aid workers across Africa to fight COVID-19.
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The arrangement, which relies on cargo services provided by Ethiopian Airlines , could partially offset heavy losses Africa’s largest carrier is sustaining because of the pandemic that has halted most of its operations especially transport of passengers. "The UN World Food Programme chooses Addis Ababa as a humanitarian shipment hub for Africa to distribute medical supplies with the Ethiopian. We are pleased to serve amidst this challenging time," the airline tweeted. Ethiopia’s country director for the WFP Steven Were Omamo said an initial shipment of 3,000 cubic metres of supplies most of it personal protective equipment for health workers would be distributed within the next week. "This is a really important platform in the response to COVID-19, because what it does is it allows us to move with speed and efficiency to respond to the needs as they are unfolding," Omamo said. The loss-making KQ has earlier protested the move by the government to hand a cargo deal to its rival the Ethiopian Airlines. “We have objected the move to have Ethiopian Airlines use their passenger flights for cargo business in Kenya because we were not consulted on the impact that this would have on our business, KQ CEO Allan Kilavuka told Business Daily. Do you have a groundbreaking story you would like us to publish? Please reach us through news@tuko.co.ke or WhatsApp: 0732482690. Contact Tuko.co.ke instantly.
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