Ethiopian marks African Aviation history with 100th aircraft in active service
Ethiopian Airlines, the largest Aviation Group in Africa and SKYTRAX certified Four Star Global Airline, announced that it will take delivery on 5 June 2018 of its 100th aircraft, a Boeing 787-900, the 1st for an African airline to operate 100 aircraft fleet in the history of the continent, thus maintaining its pioneering aviation technology leadership role and ascertaining its leadership position in all aspects of Aviation Services in the continent.
On the planned delivery of the 100th aircraft, Ethiopian Group CEO, Tewolde GebreMariam said “It is an immense honor for all of us at Ethiopian to reach the milestone of 100 aircraft. This milestone is a continuation of our historical aviation leadership role in Africa and a testimony of the successful implementation of our fast, profitable and sustainable growth plan, Vision 2025. Ethiopian was the first to avail jet service in the continent back in 1962, and operated the first African B767 in 1984, the first African B777-200LR in 2010, the first African B787-800 Dreamliner and B777-200 freighter in 2012 and the first African A350 in 2016 and the first African B787-9 aircraft in 2017.
Ethiopian now operates one of the youngest and most modern 100 aircraft, with an average age of less than 5 years. Fleet modernization and expansion is one of the four critical pillars of our Vision 2025 strategic roadmap, in support of our fast expanding network, which has now reached over 110 international destinations covering 5 continents.
African, Chinese experts discuss clean energy development and power interconnection in Africa
A forum on “Grid Connection Gearing up Sustainable Africa” was held in Addis Ababa on May 14. The forum proposed to governments in Africa and across the world, international organizations, energy and power enterprises, financial and research institutions to jointly promote the development of clean energy and the construction of power grid interconnection in Africa, promote energy transformation and build African Energy Interconnection and Global Energy Interconnection, so as to provide clean and sustained energy support for economic and social development in the world.
Kuang Weilin, Ambassador of Mission of China to the African Union (AU), Seleshi Bekele, Minister of Water Irrigation and Electricity, Ethiopia, Bruno Kapandji Kalala, Minister of Agency for the Development and Promotion of Grand Inga (ADPI-RDC) and Mohamed Mousa Omran, First Undersecretary of Ministry of Electricity and Renewable Energy, Egypt, attended the forum and made keynote speeches.
The forum was organized by Global Energy Interconnection Development and Cooperation Organization (GEIDCO). In-depth discussions and consensuses were made on the topics of clean energy development in Africa, power grid interconnection and the Belt and Road cooperation among the representatives from the AU, the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), ADPI-RDC, Association of Power Utilities of Africa (APUA) and other international organizations; power departments and enterprises in Ethiopia, Egypt, Sudan, Nigeria, etc.; as well as China Three Gorges International Corporation (CTGIC), POWERCHINA International Group Limited, State Grid International Development Co., Ltd. (SGID), China Electric Power Equipment and Technology CO., Ltd. (CET) and other Chinese enterprises in power sector.
US Embassy warns of scams – There are no fees to enter the Embassy or American spaces
The US Embassy has been alerted to reports of scams, where unsuspecting residents are offered access to the Embassy compound for visa interviews, or to visit American Spaces. The Embassy wishes to reiterate that no such fees are required.
The Embassy’s American Spaces Program offers free public access to facilities that include state of the art technology, research materials, space for public engagement, and opportunities to experience American Culture. There are locations in Bahir Dar, Dire Dawa, Jimma, and Addis Ababa at the National Archive and Library Agency as well as the U.S. Embassy itself. There are no fees to enter these spaces or use their services.
For Consular Services, such as visa interviews, the only fees are those that are published on travel.state.gov, which cover the cost of the application process. There are no additional fees to enter the Embassy compound for an appointment. Official fees for consular services may only be paid at Bank of Abyssinia locations or directly at the cashier window within the Consular Section.
The Embassy is investigating these claims and reminds all Ethiopians to communicate directly with the Embassy if anyone request fees to facilitate Embassy services. Up to date information about U.S. Embassy services is available directly through the official Embassy website at et.usembassy.gov.
