The Group Chief Executive Officer of Ethiopian Airlines, Tewolde Gebremariam, has penned a personal letter to the airline’s Loyal Customers in this period of COVID – 9.
Dear Loyal and Valued Member,
Your favourite airline, Ethiopian Airlines has been putting the safety, comfort, and wellbeing of its valued customers the top priority in all of its business operations for more than 7 decades in its history. In fact, this has been one of our major success factors.
In the current challenging operating environment in which the spread of COVID-19 has put the global airline industry in the worst-ever crisis, Ethiopian Airlines has increased its activities in ensuring your health and wellbeing.
Accordingly, we would like to share the insights of what we do inside and around the cabin of the aircraft and all areas of customer contacts.
Although cabin hygiene and cleanliness are the usual standards that we maintain at all times, we have increased our activities in these areas since the spread of the COVID-19. Our aircraft cabin are always thoroughly cleaned and scientifically disinfected with approved chemicals and disinfectants. These cleaning and disinfection are designed to the highest standards in our world today. These include, but not limited to areas of the cabin with customers’ personal space like tray tables, seat armrests, headrests, seat belts, seat pockets, galleys, carpets, toilets, sidewalls, baggage bins, etc.
The air in the cabin is continuously and automatically refreshed with clean air. Our hospital-grade HEPA filters are 99.97% effective in preventing the spread of airborne organisms like COVID-19.
Our crew are well trained and equipped to handle passengers that may show symptoms of the COVID-19 infection.
Our hygiene and cleanliness culture applies to all areas of our airline operation especially our Inflight Catering. We use fresh and organic ingredients for our inflight meals; and our in-flight catering organization operates in full compliance with HACCP (international food hygiene and safety regulatory requirements).
At our main hub, Addis Ababa Airport, we are conducting global standard thermal screening for all arrival, transit and departing passengers in coordination with Ministry of Health and WHO representatives. All our ground services staff are properly trained to protect our customers, themselves and their colleagues from the COVID-19.
Given the fast spread of the COVID-19, we understand the hesitation of some people in making the decision to book their flights. But we would like to assure you that Ethiopian Airlines is taking all possible prevention measures to protect your health, that of our colleagues and all of our stakeholders. We assure you that we are guided by fact based and regulatory guidelines like the WHO, ICAO and various countries CDC’s including our own national Health Ministry procedures.
Thank you for choosing to fly with Ethiopian Airlines.
Tewolde Gebremariam
Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO.