For the third time an Ethiopian Airlines flight completely run by women, flew from Addis Ababa via Stockholm to Oslo on March 8. The trip from the continent of Africa to meet their counterparts in Europe demonstrated the power of women to the world.
The eve of the flight, the airline prepared a gala at the Skylight Hotel to send the team and show woman’s solidarity. The guest-of-honor, Sahle-Work Zewde addressed the crowd while thanking the airline for giving her the chance to fly with “the Lucys”.
“When opportunities are democratized the sky is the limit for women, and indeed the sky is the limit for the Lucys,” she said. “I know from my years as a diplomat that the role of Ethiopian Airline in Africa is beyond its corporate activities and political influence. So this flight will have a big impact changing the narrative about women.”
She also stated that the glass is half full as the nation witnessed a half women cabinet and other significant posts possessed by women. She calls for the strengthened efforts of all parties to give women equal opportunity.
The airline has more than 60,000 employees with 37 percent of women in all posts. The number of women participating was previously low but is now showing improvement, according to the data obtained from the airline. There are more pilots and ground technicians. Women who are going to participate in the all-women functioned flight stressed that the airline has given them the opportunity without special treatment or discrimination but as equal players.
“We are immensely honored that there are women trailblazers in every aspect of our aviation field,” said Tewolde GebreMariam. “Women are an integral part of our success story from the start and with this dedicated flight we honor and celebrate their indispensable contribution in our aviation group and the broader aviation industry, our country and the continent at large.”
Ethiopian operates five weekly flights to Oslo, Norway via Stockholm with ultra-modern Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
