Ethiopian Airlines launches its 3 times a week flight to the Copperbelt

Ethiopian Airlines has launched its flight to the Copperbelt direct from Addis Ababa to Ndola three times a week.

and Zambia's Transport and Communication Minister Christopher Yaluma says this development is attributed to the viable and enabling investment climate in the country.

Mr. Yaluma says the Addis Ababa – Ndola direct flight was due to the political stability that the country enjoys and the cordial relations that government shares with Ethiopia.

The minister  said this  in a speech read on his behalf by Copperbelt Province Permanent Secretary Stanford Msichili at the inaugural of the Airline’s fright in Ndola yesterday.

He maintained that the commencement of Ethiopian flights to Ndola will sell Zambia’s tourism to the world.

Mr. Yaluma said the launch had come at a better time when Zambia and Zimbabwe will jointly host the United Nations General Assembly on tourism.

Mr. Yaluma said government would support the Airline as it has placed tourism high on the economic agenda adding that this will not only spur creation of employment but also meeting the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

He said government was proud that Ethiopian Airlines had added Ndola as its 45th African destination to its worldwide route network.

He added that the introduction of new routes will contribute to the development and growth of the aviation industry in Zambia, Africa and the world at large.

And Director Advertising and Promotions for Ethiopian Airlines Mengistu Adelahu said Ethiopian is committed to enhance its services in Africa by taking the continent to a new level.

Mr. Adelahu said Ethiopian Airlines is positioned to provide people to people economic and social ties between nations by serving the needs of the Africa of tomorrow.

He further said with a population constituting a sixth of the world, untapped mineral and oil resources and huge tracts of arable land it was time for Africa to ascend in the global economic landscape.

He noted that the rise and development of Africa was driven by dependable and convenient air transport adding that Ethiopian Airlines has proven this by widening its route network, building its capacity in both infrastructure and human resources.

And National Airports Corporation Managing Director Robinson Misitala said plans were underway to construct a new and bigger airport on the Copperbelt at a site to be announced soon