The African airline Ethiopian Airlines had a life-saving cargo on board on its flight to Zurich. The Boeing 777-200LR (cargo) brought 10 million protective masks and a total of 60 tons of medical goods to Zurich. The relief supplies were brought to Switzerland from China and carried out on behalf of the federal government.
Ethiopian Airlines operates Virus Aid Flight to five African countries
ADDIS ABABA: Ethiopian Airlines has operated a COVID-19 aid flight with medical equipment from Ethiopia to Djibouti, Sudan, Eritrea, Somalia and Tanzania on behalf of the World Health Organization (WHO) as part of an effort to reach 95 countries most at risk from the virus
Later the same day Donald Trump announced he was cutting off funding to the WHO, accusing the organisation of “covering up the spread of the coronavirus”. As of January 2020, the US owed the WHO US$99.16 million.
The WHO cargo, shipped by the World Food Programme (WFP), includes one million facemasks and enough personal protective equipment for health workers treating more than 30,000 patients across the continent plus laboratory supplies to support surveillance and detection.
“Thanks to the government of the United Arab Emirates for its generous support of this operation, WHO’s regional logistics hub in Dubai has played a key role in making sure these supplies are prepared and shipped to where they are most needed,” said Ahmed Al-Mandhari, the regional director for the Eastern Mediterranean.
“This is by far the largest single shipment of supplies since the start of the pandemic, and will ensure that people living in countries with some of the weakest health systems are able to get test and treated, while ensuring that health workers on the frontlines are properly protected,” he added.
Ethiopian extends its global network; uplifts 45,848 tons of cargo
Ethiopian Cargo has extended its reach to 74 destinations globally, and is catering to charter flight needs anywhere in the world boundlessly, carrying much needed medical supplies in the ongoing fight against Covid-19. Ethiopian is adapting its operations to the evolving global demand for air cargo services amid the pandemic.
Ethiopian transported a total uplift of over 45,848 tons of cargo to different parts of the world deploying both its freighters and passenger fleet, In the month of March alone. The shipments include pharmaceuticals, medical supplies and healthcare products carried with 86 charter flights using B777 freighters, each with a capacity of 100 tons.
“Agility being a key part of our competencies, we have recalibrated our cargo operations and networks in light of the current demand in air cargo business,” said Tewolde GebreMariam, Ethiopian Group CEO. “We are carrying medical supplies in both scheduled and charter flights using the cabin and belly hold of our passenger aircraft besides our cargo fleet. Despite the grim situation the world is grappling with, we feel heartened by the small contribution we are making to curb further loss of lives by carrying critical medical supplies where they are needed the most. I would like to thank my colleagues at Ethiopian Cargo & Logistics Services who are working 24/7 to provide air cargo service the world needs critically in this difficult time.”
Ethiopian Cargo Deploys Its Advanced Pharma Wing in the Global Fight Against COVID-19
In response to the growing demand for air cargo services following the spread of COVID- 19, Ethiopian has been deploying its massive cargo capacity to facilitate the flow of essential cargo such as medical supplies wherever they are needed. The state-of-the-art Pharma Wing of Ethiopian Cargo & Logistics Services, which is housed within the largest trans-shipment terminal in Africa, has been central to the airline’s effective handling and shipping of medical supplies across Africa and beyond.
Equipped with temperature controlled pharma handling storage covering an area of 54,000 sq. m, the Pharma Wing is suitable for handling medical supplies in different temperature ranges through the use of active containers and real-time temperature monitoring system. Dedicated and trained staff stationed at the facility ensure that all operations are carried out in line with the rules and regulations of IATA and other regulatory bodies throughout the supply chain.
Commenting on the critical role of Ethiopian Cargo & Logistics Services and its facilities amidst the pandemic, Ethiopian Group CEO Tewolde GebreMariam remarked, “Ethiopian Airlines has been a key enabler in the global effort to conquer COVID-19 by facilitating the shipment of life-saving medical supplies to different parts of the world. We feel privileged to serve the world in this difficult time deploying our state-of-the-art Pharma Wing as well as our cargo and passenger fleet. Now that Addis Ababa is designated as Humanitarian Air Hub by WFP and WHO owing to our advanced facilities, vast network of 127 international destinations and fleet, we will further bolster our efforts as the leading air cargo service provider in Africa.”
Currently, Ethiopian Cargo & Logistics Services is transporting an average 1.4 million kg of temperature-sensitive healthcare products monthly including medicines, biologicals, bio-technologies, diagnostics, vaccines and medical devices among others. It is to be recalled that different UN Agencies, donor governments and philanthropists are using Addis Ababa as a hub to distribute medical supplies across Africa as part of the global effort to contain COVID-19.
Ethiopian’s Pharma Wing responds to Covid-19 Globally
Ethiopian Airline has been deploying its massive cargo capacity to facilitate the flow of essential cargo such as medical supplies wherever they are needed, In response to the growing demand for air cargo services following the spread of Covid-19. The Pharma Wing of Ethiopian Cargo & Logistics Services, which is housed within the largest trans-shipment terminal in Africa, has been central to the airline’s effective handling and shipping of medical supplies across Africa and beyond.
Currently, Ethiopian Cargo & Logistics Services is transporting an average 1.4 million kg of temperature-sensitive healthcare products monthly including medicines, biologicals, bio-technologies, diagnostics, vaccines and medical devices among others.
Equipped with temperature controlled pharma handling storage covering an area of 54,000 sq. m, the Pharma Wing is suitable for handling medical supplies in different temperature ranges through the use of active containers and real-time temperature monitoring system.
Dedicated and trained staff stationed at the facility ensure that all operations are carried out in line with the rules and regulations of IATA and other regulatory bodies throughout the supply chain.
Commenting on the critical role of Ethiopian Cargo & Logistics Services and its facilities amidst the pandemic, Ethiopian Group CEO Tewolde GebreMariam remarked, “Ethiopian Airlines has been a key enabler in the global effort to conquer COVID-19 by facilitating the shipment of life-saving medical supplies to different parts of the world. We feel privileged to serve the world in this difficult time deploying our state-of-the-art Pharma Wing as well as our cargo and passenger fleet. Now that Addis Ababa is designated as Humanitarian Air Hub by WFP and WHO owing to our advanced facilities, vast network of 127 international destinations and fleet, we will further bolster our efforts as the leading air cargo service provider in Africa.”
It is to be recalled that different UN Agencies, donor governments and philanthropists are using Addis Ababa as a hub to distribute medical supplies across Africa as part of the global effort to contain Covid-19.
Ethiopian To Pick Tanzania Fresh Produce
Addis Ababa, April 20, 20200 (FFBC) – Ethiopian Airlines (Ethiopian) will now fly three times a week to the Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA) to pick fresh produce destined for the European Markets.
The arrangement is the result of a joint initiative by the Tanzania Horticulture Association (Taha) and the Kilimanjaro Airports Development Company (Kadco), which manages the airport and one of the leading carriers in Africa.
One of the jets from the Horn of Africa country was at the second busiest airports in the country on Friday and ferried tone’s of fresh horticulture produce abroad.
Export of horticulture products from Tanzania has been negatively impacted by the outbreak of coronavirus, which has forced major world carriers to suspend flights to KIA.
Ethiopian turns nine passenger aircraft into freighter to raise cargo capacity
Ethiopian has reconfigured passenger cabins of four B777-300ER, three B737-800 and two B767-300 aircraft to boost its capacity in response to the growing demand for cargo shipment. Ethiopian has 12 freighter aircraft operating in full capacity. However, as the need for cargo shipment increases for timely delivery of medical supplies in the wake of the pandemic, additional cargo capacity has become essential.
With conversion of its A350, B787 and Q400 passenger aircraft in the pipeline, nine of Ethiopian aircraft have been modified to provide cargo service only. Ethiopian has been transporting vital supplies across Africa to support the fight against COVID-19. It is also loading cargo in the cabins as well as the belly of the passenger aircraft without removal of seats to support its operation.
Regarding the increase in cargo service, Ethiopian Airlines GCEO Mr. Tewolde GebreMariam said, “We are demonstrating the knowledge and skill at our Africa’s largest MRO center with our flexibility in times of unprecedented circumstances. The conversion of passenger aircraft into freighter is one of our strategies to meet the increasing demand in cargo shipment to help us get through this hard time. This will enable us strengthen our capacity and reach as many customers as possible in this unprecedented difficult time. People all over the world are in a dire need of necessities and emergency medical equipment that help them in the fight against the pandemic. We are happy to be active players in the battle against this global pandemic. We are also mulling over various possibilities to enhance our cargo service.”
As part of its effort to serve the global public amidst this challenging time, Ethiopian has continued to deliver medical supplies donated by Jack Ma to Africa. Ethiopian has demonstrated highly commendable efficiency in the distribution of the medical supplies as result of which the WFP and WHO designated Addis Ababa as Africa’s Humanitarian Air Hub.
Ethiopian Airlines takes delivery of B737F
Ethiopian Airlines took delivery of its first Boeing 737-800 Freighter today (1 March) – the first of its kind for cargo arm Ethiopian Cargo.
The B737-800F aircraft has a capacity of more than 23 metric tonnes and will be used to increase capacity and frequency of its freighter network.
Group chief executive officer, Tewolde GebreMariam said: “The arrival of this new freighter is a significant addition and propels both our capacity and frequency.
Ethiopian Receives Award
Ethiopian Receives “Fastest Growing International Cargo Airline of the Year” Award
Ethiopian Cargo & Logistics Services has also been awarded as “Fastest growing International Cargo Airline of the Year” at Air Cargo India International conference held in Mumbai on February 21, 2018. The biennial awards ceremony was held in conjunction with the seventh edition of Air Cargo India exhibition and conference, recognizing cargo carriers with immense progress and leading innovations in the air freight industry while enhancing customer experience. The winners of the prestigious award were selected through online voting system by STAT Times readers.
