Turkish, Ethiopian Airlines discuss joint venture

ADDIS ABABA (AA) - Turkish Airlines and Ethiopian Airlines on Thursday discussed future avenues for enhanced cooperation.

In a meeting in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa, the Turkish Airlines delegation led by CEO Temel Kotil and his counterpart from Ethiopian Airlines Tewolde Gebremariam, agreed that the two airlines should engage in more discussion that should lead towards a joint venture.

“It is about cooperation, working together, partnership, code share and joint venture,” Ethiopian Airlines CEO Gebremariam told Anadolu Agency.

The two sides agreed “to cooperate more on Istanbul and Addis, Europe and Africa and to expand our network and work together,” he said without going into detail.

Earlier, Turkish Airlines CEO Kotil met with Ethiopian Transport Minister Workineh Gebeyehu, with whom he discussed future areas of bilateral cooperation and partnership.

Kotil said there was ample ground for the two sides to form a joint venture so as to reap win-win benefits.

Africa ranks third in the number of destinations Turkish Airlines flies to, i.e. 48.

Turkish Airlines also marked the 10th anniversary of the launching of Istanbul-Addis Ababa route with a gala reception held at the Sheraton.

In his speech, Temel Kotil referred to Ethiopian and Turkish Airlines. “The two should join forces,” he said.

Turkish Airlines offers flights to over 250 international destinations in over 100 countries across Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia and the Americas.

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