EAL earns over 2.3 billion Birr income this year

  Addis Ababa,July 12 (ENA)--The Ethiopian Airlines (EAL) says it has earned an over 2.3 billion Birr income this year.

  EAL Chief Executive Officer, Bisrat Negatu, told journalists here on Wednesday that the performance of the airlines was much better compared with last year.

   EAL has gained 121 million Birr income from aircraft maintenance service it gave to African and Gulf countries during the reported period, Bisrat said.

  He said the income obtained from the maintenance service exceeded the target by two-fold.

 The ETHIOPIAN has launched new direct flights to Hargesa, Somalia, and Kanu, Nigeria this year, Bisrat said.

 He said EAL was making preparations to open new route to Hong Kong, China, next year.

   The airlines has a plan to purchase 12 modern airplanes next year, according to Bisrat.

  He said most of the flights to and from the Bole International Airport would take place in the evenings as of April next year.

   High international market competition, soaring fuel price, flight delays and instability in some African countries were among the major problems faced by EAL, Bisrat said.

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