This archive report was first published on 20 April 2020.
On April 20, 2020, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, Ethiopian Airlines announced a series of significant partnerships that would see the airline play a crucial role in evacuating US citizens and transporting Kenya's cargo.
As part of the agreements, the airline partnered with the US embassy in Kenya to provide a charter flight from Nairobi's Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) to Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) on April 22nd, 2020. The flight would evacuate US citizens or legal permanent residents, along with their immediate family members, who held valid entry documents for the United States on a first-come-first-served basis.
Additionally, the airline partnered with the Japanese Embassy in Kenya to offer charter flights from Nairobi, with a stopover in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, before proceeding to other destinations. This move aimed to facilitate the evacuation of Japanese citizens and other nationals from Kenya.
Furthermore, Ethiopian Airlines secured a prestigious deal to transport Kenya's cargo from JKIA to Europe and Asia using six of its passenger aircraft. This move was seen as a significant coup for the airline, which would help it stay afloat amidst the global crisis. The deal, however, sparked controversy, with Kenya Airways, the country's national airline, crying foul play over the decision to award the cargo contract to Ethiopian Airlines.
As the world grappled with the COVID-19 pandemic, Ethiopian Airlines' partnerships demonstrated the airline's commitment to playing a vital role in facilitating the evacuation of citizens and transporting essential goods during this challenging period.
