Friday, Apr 01, 2011
Gulf News
Dubai Flydubai, Dubai’s first low cost airline, said, it is to begin flights to Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Ababa on April 22.
Flights to the East African nation will operate three times a week on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays. When combined with flydubai’s existing flights to the continent, where it serves Egypt, Sudan and Djibouti, the new route underlines its commitment to supporting trade and business ties between the UAE and Africa.
Investment opportunity
Following on from the Fourth Annual Comesa Conference, which took place in Dubai last week and discussed investment and business opportunities in Eastern and Southern Africa, the new route aims to continue to encourage business and tourism to Ethiopia.
Gaith Al Gaith, CEO of flydubai, said: “There are significant ties between the UAE and Ethiopia that have registered steady growth over the past few years. The announcement of flights to Addis Ababa will not only help to develop these further but also provide an affordable travel option for business people and tourists alike.”
Home to the African Union, Addis Ababa is often called the political capital of Africa due to its historical, cultural and political significance.
It is also home to three million people from more than 80 nations.
Agriculture
Ethiopia’s economy, meanwhile, is predominantly driven by agriculture with cereals, pulses, coffee, oilseeds and sugarcane forming the bulk of the nation’s produce.
Key export partners range from Germany and Italy in Europe, to the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Japan in the Middle and Far East.
The non-oil trade between Dubai and Ethiopia currently stands at more than $76 million (Dh279.1 million).
80
nationalities staying in Addis Ababa
$76m
non-oil trade between Dubai and Ethiopia
aviation
Staff Report
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