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Monday, August 5, 2013

■ ETHIOPIA: Australia, Ethiopia sign Bilateral Air Services Agreement.

EthiopiaEthiopia and Australia have reportedly signed a Bilateral Air Services Agreement in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa. Present at the signing ceremony last week was the Director General of the Ethiopian Civil Aviation Authority (ECAA), Colonel Wesenyeleh Hunegnaw, and the Australian Ambassador to Ethiopia, Ms Lisa Filipetto.


According to Ethiopian Radio reports, Colonel Wesenyeleh said the agreement would "help start direct flight services between the two countries" and would enable airlines in the two countries to provide unlimited flight services. Should direct flights between Ethiopia and Australia begin, they will play a vital role in strengthening cooperation especially in the areas of investment, trade and tourism.

For her part, Ambassador Filipetto, said the agreement will boost the age long bilateral relations between the two countries.

Ethiopian Airlines has in the past, expressed a desire to start flights to Australia, though CEO Tewolde Gebremariam, has noted that this would hinge on his airline securing agreeable landing slots at Singapore's Changi Airport.