Travellers look forward to family reunions as Ethiopian Airlines resumes flights to Tigray capital

Record ID: 1704998

  • Title: Travellers look forward to family reunions as Ethiopian Airlines resumes flights to Tigray capital
  • Date: 28th December 2022
  • Summary: ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA (DECEMBER 28, 2022) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF TIGRAYANS, KAHSSAY HAILU AND FAMILY, FLYING ON THE FIRST ETHIOPIAN AIRLINES FLIGHT SINCE THE CONFLICT BEGAN, WITH THEIR LUGGAGE (SOUNDBITE) (Amharic) TRAVELLER TO MEKELLE, KAHSSAY HAILU, SAYING: “I lived here in separation from my husband and child, whom I love. I came here for my daughters’ examination and suddenly got stuck here. When I heard the news (about the flights), I fell to the ground and cried. I am extremely happy, and I hope it will continue like this. I pray the peace will be sustained. When there is peace there is everything.” PEOPLE PUSHING LUGGAGE TROLLEY (SOUNDBITE) (Amharic) KAHSSAY’S DAUGHTER, SELAM TESFAYE, SAYING: “I am extremely excited that I am going to see my sister and my dad. I cannot say more at this time.” VARIOUS OF TRAVELLERS AT BOLE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (SOUNDBITE) (Amharic) RELATIVE OF A TRAVELLER TO MEKELLE, TESFAYE TEKHLAY, SAYING: “This is a joyful moment because we are going to meet our relatives after a long time. I am very excited. I pray to God that the remaining things like communication and so on will also be addressed soon.” TRAVELLER TO MEKELLE, NIGSTI HAILEMARIAM WALKING TOWARD THE AIRPORT (SOUNDBITE) (Amharic), TRAVELLER TO MEKELLE, NIGSTI HAILEMARIAM, SAYING: “I came here to see my daughter who was giving birth at the time. My plan was for just two weeks and then everything was shut down suddenly. It has been more than a year and a half already. I am very happy that peace is returning and excited that I am finally going home. May God keep the peace and things return to be how they were." VARIOUS OF TRAVELLERS AND THEIR LUGGAGE IN THE PARKING LOT
  • Embargoed: 11th January 2023 11:28
  • Keywords: Conflict Ethiopia Ethiopian Airlines TPLF Tigray
  • Location: ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA
  • City: ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA
  • Country: Ethiopia
  • Topics: Africa,Conflicts/War/Peace
  • Reuters ID: LVA001916628122022RP1
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Travellers expressed joy and excitement outside Addis Ababa's Bole Airport on Wednesday (December 28) as Ethiopian Airlines resumed flights to the capital of the war-torn northern region of Tigray for the first time in about 18 months.
    Passengers said they looked forward to seeing family members again after being cut off when fighting broke out.
    A travel agent in Addis Ababa said the first Mekelle-bound flight was fully booked within hours of the announcement.
    The national carrier announced on Tuesday (December 27) that it would resume flying the route after a meeting between the Federal Government of Ethiopia, the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), and the Government of Tigray. It also follows an agreement to stop all hostilities between forces allied to the government and those aligned to the TPLF.
    In a statement, Ethiopian Airlines CEO Mesfin Tasew said resuming flights would "enable families to reunite, facilitate the restoration of commercial activities, stimulate tourist flow and bring many more opportunities which will serve the society."
    (Production: Kumerra Gemechu, Mukelwa Hlatshwayo, Thomas Holdstock)
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2023. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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