Ethiopian Airlines unveils privatization plans

Ethiopian Airlines unveils privatization plans 


Ethiopian Airlines should be co-owned by African governments, its Group chief executive Mr Tewolde Gebremariam has said.
Gebremariam has the co- ownership proposal has become imperative because of recent move by government to privatize the Ethiopian national carrier.
Speaking in an interview in Addis he said it would be good if African countries including Nigeria had shares in the airline.
The Ethiopian government he said is seeking to open up its economy by selling a stake in some of its state-run enterprises , including the airline.
He however, cautioned that in the liberalisation strategy, Ethiopian Airlines should not be "treated like other state enterprises set for privatisation.
He said given the airline's role in connecting Africa, the government should capitalise on that to maintain its position in the continent.
"As a pan-African airline, I don't see any reason why we should not sell the minority shares of Ethiopian Airlines to African countries if they are interested in buying."
Meanwhile, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) said Ethiopian Airlines  has stepped up its expansion plan by setting up hubs across the continent.
The airline , IATA said has been in talks with African governments including Chad, Guinea, Equatorial Guinea, Djibouti, Nigeria, and Mozambique to set up carriers through joint ventures.