Ethiopian airlines, Singapore tourism partner to return Singapore June 1

Africa’s most profitable airline, Ethiopian Airlines has concluded plans to launch services to Singapore on June 1, 2017. It would service the route with the ultra-modern Boeing 787.

Aside returning to the Far East Asia, the carrier has entered into partnership with Singapore Tourism Board in a bid to boost traffic and sustain the airline’s operations in the area.

Nigerian are expected to take advantage of this services as they can now travel to Singapore through the four major destinations Ethiopian operates to in Nigeria.

Singapore’s Changi Airport is one of the major global aviation hubs with the latest airport infrastructure and one of the best hub transfer services. Singapore is also one of the pre-eminent financial hubs in the world.

General Manager (Nigeria), Ethiopian Airlines, Solomon Begashaw said that their direct and non- stop flights will serve the growing traffic between Africa and Singapore, giving the best possible connectivity options to passengers travelling between most points in Asia and Africa, in partnership with fellow Star member, Singapore Airlines.

“Moreover, our customers can now enjoy the ultimate travel experience on board Ethiopian Dreamliner; unparalleled comfort with less noise, biggest windows in the sky, higher ceiling, unique lighting and higher humidity”.

Ethiopian flights to Singapore will also greatly contribute to the strengthening of trade, investment, and tourism ties between a booming Africa and a highly developed, innovative, and business-friendly Singapore.

Begashaw disclosed that by 2025, ET would be having 120 destinations it flies to, adding that this is the driving force which fuelled massive plane orders and also working on the human capital management which they have started.

Asked if tough visa restrictions won’t do incalculable damage or defeat the purpose of seamless flight services, Begashaw stated that inasmuch as they are concerned about the situation, he conceded that it is the prerogative of the Singaporean government to issue visa to people it deems fit to visit the country.

His words, “What we are doing is opening a platform for a direct link to Nigeria. Yes, the issues will be there and people are still flying to Singapore.”

The airline chief disclosed that Ethiopian withdrew from the Singapore route because the product they offered then wasn’t the right product at that time.

“We were not operating then with the right equipment. Then our orders were on the line, some of the airplanes we planned to use had not arrived then. Now, everything is in order, opening Singapore direct to Addis and also, we have the right equipment, the right resource to restart this market.”

Area Director, Middle East and Africa International Group Singapore Tourism Board, Mohamed Firhan Abdul Salam stated that Singapore is a very welcoming country.

“I don’t think people coming to Singapore face any challenges. Moving around in Singapore is very easy. You can move around in public transport or in your own vehicle. People are friendly.

I have not heard of a lot of people having obstacles, challenges once you are in Singapore. I don’t foresee Nigerians having problem when you are in Singapore while you are enjoying your holiday.”

“Ethiopian now that they are flying directly, we have interest to help them sustain their flights, to fill their seats to Singapore and help to bring visitors to Singapore. As Singapore tourism board, our mandate is to promote tourism into our country”, he added.