Mar 02, 2005 10:14 PM
11906 Views
(Updated Mar 02, 2005 10:19 PM)
What tempted me to write this review is the Professor?s write up. Initially I started writing a comment, but felt that it will be inadequate to express my thoughts.
First I think it is injustice to assess an airline company with a 28 yr past experience. I flew by Ethiopian airlines in 2000, and my opinion is a bit different.
The reason why I selected the airline was its economy. That time, a Mumbai ? Johannesburg return ticket cost only around Rs 21,000 whereas South African airways charged 35,000+. The difference was that SA flew straight to Mumbai and EA the route was through Addis-Ababa. As I was not a CEO of an MNC, I had enough time and less money, so I naturally opted for EA.
The flight departed from Jo?burg at late night and had landings at Harare and Nairobi. The passengers from those places didn?t have the usual air traveler disciplines. They were making lots of noises and some were moving around. The travel resembled more like our train journey.
At around 8 in the morning the plane landed at Addis Ababa. My connection flight to Mumbai was in that evening. The reception at the airport was very hearty. The officials were very friendly and courteous. They had arranged a city ride for the passengers. We were taken to the city on buses. Breakfast was served at a restaurant in the city. The food was of good quality and choice but the ambiance at the place was below average. The city appeared in a very sorry state, with nothing appropriate for a country?s capital. By noon we returned to the airport.
The airport was also in a very pathetic shape. It was no better than my Kottayam railway station. Some constructions and facelifts were undergoing at that time. I hope things may be much better now.
The connection flight departed in time. This time, everything was quite and okay. The food served on board was good, the airhostesses were beautiful and lovely and the Ethiopian Coffee ? Superb?
I flew by EA two more times in the same route. At one time they allowed me in Business class with my economy class ticket.
From my friends at Africa, I learned that this airline is one of the few enterprises that run on profit in Ethiopia. This wills definitely adding to the national economy. No body needs any introduction on the poverty of the country. So I strongly feel you are doing your part of support to the Ethiopian people by traveling on EA . That is why in spite of all these inadequacies I recommend EA.
