Ethiopian Airlines Announces A Re-Opening Plan

Ethiopian Airlines, having been used majorly to airlift medical and personal protective equipment (PPE) during the pandemic, has announced the welcome back of business and leisure travels.

The move entails the easing of travel restrictions across the globe, aimed to safeguard the health and safety of their clients and staff.

“Ethiopian is proud to be there when the world needed it most – repatriating citizens, reuniting families, facilitating essential travel and transporting much needed medical and personal protective equipment (PPE) for health professionals and the general public under very difficult and challenging circumstances,” said Ato Tewolde G. Mariam, Group CEO of Ethiopian Airlines.

She noted that the move was in a bid to play a leading role in the new normal. With the protective measures taken in line with CDC, IATA, ICAO, and WHO guidelines, customers and staff will enjoy safety and can their health will be well looked after.  It includes the steps the airline is taking to maintain customer and staff wellbeing through-out the service chain beginning from the first interaction with customers during ticketing/reservation and up to arrival at destination.

Customers are advised to check travel restrictions of destination countries prior to arriving at the airport for a flight. Facemasks will be mandatory for travel except for children under the age 2 and must be kept on throughout the journey.

All customer-facing staff will wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs). This includes ticket offices, airport and lounge staff, as well as cabin crew. Onboard service is redesigned to minimize contact while maintaining our African flavored Ethiopian hospitality. Items, such as magazines, menus, and other reading materials, that were traditionally shared will no longer be available.

Some measures include observing physical distancing at sales offices and thorough cleaning and disinfection of turnaround stations prior to departing from the hub. The airlines have enhanced health screenings including temperature checks and sanitizing checked-in bags before being loaded onto the aircraft and to minimize contact, meal and drink will be self-service in the lounges. Cutlery will be sterilized before each use. The crew is trained to handle flight operations in a COVID-19 travel world.

As countries continue to open their borders and ease travel restrictions, Ethiopia is happy to welcome back business and leisure travels.