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Ethiopia
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Ethiopian
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How many of our under 30 generation have read his books, or even know about Dale Carnegie, I could never guess. Yet this one man's simple concepts have changed millions of lives dramatically and positively for generations, not just in America, but around the world. In my opinion everyone should read at least one of his inspiring books. He leads by example -- and they're excellent ones. The management at Ethiopian Airlines has the type of action-based thinking and 'hands on' approach Carnegie talks about on every page of his best seller, "How to Win Friends and Influence People." Speaking of winning friends, the way our group of 11 journalists was catered to during a recent flight from the USA to Addis Ababa -- and around the country on its regional routes, left its mark indelibly on each of us. Following the Historic Route Tour to Lalibela, Gondar, Bahir Dar-and Lake Tana, I had the opportunity of working at the company's head office for several days, laying the foundation for this issue and an updated (Post Congress) edition of Africa Travel Magazine. That was when I experienced the "Spirit of Ethiopian Airlines" first hand. Now I won't pretend to be a complete stranger to the airline; one year ago a friend at ATA, Hagos Legesse of New York, made me a gift that I have treasured ever since. (Mr. Legesse is North American Consultant for the Airline). This timely gift was a deluxe coffee table edition of "Bringing Africa Together," a book that tells the story of humble beginnings, followed by the rise of Ethiopian Airlines to world status, through decades of trials and tribulations, peace and war. The recent addition of direct flights to Addis Ababa from Washington, DC and New York/ Newark, is the latest feather in the airline's cap. |
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If all of this tender loving care I spoke of wasn't enough, on our return flight I was presented with a beautiful silk necktie compliments of the airline. I've worn it with pride at every opportunity ever since. This colorful piece of wearable art bears a replica of a classic stained glass window that adorns the United Nations Conference Center in Addis Ababa. The design is by the artist Tekle (see his profile in this issue). Having pioneered a mighty "Air Bridge to Africa," Ethiopian Airlines now flies to more African destinations than any carrier in the world. See the above map above for a quick idea of its routes to and from the continents. From what myself and colleagues have experienced in my first return flight, I am sure that Ethiopian Airlines will continue to influence people and win friends for generations to come. Read more about Ethiopian Airlines in our Fall 2000 Edition and on our Web Site.
Through the years you urged and encouraged us to establish a link to America. We studied the possibility and launched a direct service in June 1998. Looking back over the first year of operation on this route, it is gratifying to note that this "stretch" has not only pleased our longtime patrons but has also attracted more and more passengers from various points in Africa and the Gulf, So much so that we found it necessary to increase the number of flights from the initially planned biweekly, to three and even to four flights at peak times. Similarly, we have increased the number of weekly flights to various other destinations in response to the growing demand. We now have daily flights to Abidjan, Dubai, Djibouti and Nairobi. We have five flights to Accra and Lagos, four flights to Dar es Salaam and Entebbe and three flights to Tel-Aviv. Not only do we work at enhancing services on our established routes, we continue reaching out to new destinations in keeping with our route development and pioneering tradition. We started operating to Zanzibar in July and will be spreading our wings towards Maputo in Mozambique, and Copenhagen in Denmark, come November 1999. We believe that these steps will make your travels with us, through our growing Addis Ababa hub, easier and smoother. For those of you who want to escape from the coming cold winter in the north we offer you the southern warmth and sunshine. For those others who dream of a "White Christmas" and skiing vacations we can take you places where the snow abounds. Whichever direction you travel with us, crossing the Equator or the fourteen time zones in our expanding network, I wish you all the best in the coming holiday season. Bisrat
Nigatu,
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