The event done at a colourful ceremony was graced by the presence of Mrs Susanna Moorehead, Ambassador of the UK to Ethiopia, Group CEO of Ethiopian Airlines, Mr Tewolde GebreMariam, dignitaries and invited guests.

A statement issued in Accra by Mrs Aniley Eshetu, Assistance Manager, Corporate Communications, Ethiopian Airlines said the four weekly flights to Manchester would be operated by the ultra-modern B787 Dreamliner.

Mrs Susanna Moorehead, Ambassador of the UK to Ethiopia speaking at the inaugural event, said “I would think of Ethiopian Airlines as a symbol of Ethiopia. It’s global; it’s growing; connecting people; it’s supremely professional, modern, its forward looking, its young and it’s dynamic.”

She said the inaugural flight to Manchester was a strong symbol of the depth and breadth of the relations between Ethiopia and the UK.  Mr Tewolde GebreMariam, Group CEO of Ethiopian Airlines on his part said, “It’s a pleasure to be here this evening with you to celebrate an important milestone in our history of opening a second city in the UK, Manchester.”

“We have been flying to London since 1973, more than 46 years, so we are not new to the UK market. But we are very happy to expand our services closer to the customer in Manchester now,” he added.  He said the Airline could travel the customer conveniently to 60 destinations in Africa with an immediate connection in our hub here in Addis.

He said the connectivity they were establishing between Europe and Africa was facilitating trade investment, tourism and people-to-people ties.  Over the years, Ethiopian has been opening new routes including Europe, which it was currently serving with 51 flights a week.

The Airline is finalizing preparations to start services to other European countries including Moscow.