Ethiopian Recalibrates Cargo Operations in the Wake of COVID-19

ENA,April 8/2020 Ethiopian Cargo and Logistics Services is adapting its operations to the evolving global demand for air cargo services following the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to a press release sent to ENA, Ethiopian Cargo in response to the current situation has extended its reach to 74 destinations globally.

It also caters to charter flight needs anywhere in the world boundlessly, carrying much needed medical supplies in the ongoing fight against COVID-19.

Ethiopian transported a total uplift of over 45,848 tons of cargo to different parts of the world deploying both its freighters and passenger fleet in the month of March alone, it added.

Pharmaceuticals, medical supplies and healthcare products were among the shipments in response to the fight against COVID-19 pandemic, it was learned.

Ethiopian Group CEO, Tewolde Gebremariam said “we, agility being a key part of our competencies, have recalibrated our cargo operations and networks in light of the current demand in air cargo business”.

“We are carrying medical supplies in both scheduled and charter flights using the cabin and belly hold of our passenger aircraft besides our cargo fleet,” he said.

The CEO noted that “despite the grim situation the world is grappling with, we feel heartened by the small contribution we are making to curb further loss of lives by carrying critical medical supplies where they are needed the most.”

It is to be recalled that Ethiopian recently delivered medical supplies donated by Jack Ma including testing kits, masks and protective suits to African countries.

Meanwhile, MASkargo announced today Ethiopian Airlines as its new business partner for its operations at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA).

MASkargo CEO, Ibrahim Mohamed Salleh said the partnership would help MasKargo in expanding its reach into Europe, thus offering its customers options for their cargo movement.

The two companies would partner on a weekly service, utilizing Ethiopian’s Boeing 777 aircraft on the route of Brussels-Dubai-Kuala Lumpur-Brussels, offering 80 tons payload out of Kuala Lumpur, MASkargo said in a statement.

Accordingly, the first flight of Ethiopian Airlines freighter flight with 96 tons of cargo, landed at KLIA today.