Africa's leading airline Ethiopian Airlines said in a press release on Saturday that it operates all women's functions to six destinations on four continents to mark the applicable International Women's Day on March 8th.
Addis Ababa, March 9 (Xinhua) – Africa's leading airline Ethiopian Airlines said in a press release on Saturday that all women operate flights in six destinations on four continents, marking the falling International Women's Day on March 8.
Ethiopia's flagship carrier held a special ceremony on Friday to celebrate women's contributions to the aviation industry. Bringing together senior Ethiopian government officials, diplomats based in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa, and female staff from Ethiopian Airlines, the event was marked by six fully managed flights by women, ranging from catering, maintenance and check-in to lounge services and flight operations.
All-female sensual flights departed from Addis Ababa for Athens in Greece, New Delhi in India, Windhoek in Namibia, Sao Paulo in Brazil, Dubai in the United Arab Emirates and Bahirdar in northern Ethiopia.
Ethiopian Minister of Women's Social Affairs Ergogy Tesfaye said Ethiopian Airlines has become the leading institution for women to prove their sensitivity. She praised the “devoted” women experts working in various aviation sectors for their “significant contributions” to the continued growth of Ethiopia's national airlines, thereby enhancing the East African country's reputation on the international stage.
Tesfaye said International Women's Day serves as a call to action towards preventing and eliminating all forms of violence against women and girls, while also helping to tackle the complex economic, social and political challenges they face.
She called for a new commitment to ensuring meaningful participation of women as key enablers to promote gender equality and achieve comprehensive and sustainable national development.
According to Ethiopian flagship airlines, flights with all women working represent a key milestone in the airline's ongoing efforts to increase the presence and participation of women in the aviation industry. The initiative said it envisages a dual purpose of recognizing women's aviation experts and inspires future generations of women in the aviation sector.
Noting that the airline currently accounts for around 40% of the Ethiopian Airlines' workforce, women's aviation experts said “it makes a significant contribution to the overall outcomes and development of Ethiopian Airlines.”
Lemma Yadeka, Chief Commercial Officer of Ethiopian Airlines Group, highlighted the important needs to promote the empowerment of women in aviation.
“We are still committed to supporting, mentoring and providing opportunities for women to reach their full potential. Ethiopian Airlines is where women thrive, expand and shape the future of aviation,” Yadeka said. ■
