Ethiopian reports $550m loss due to COVID-19

Addis Ababa, April 8, 2020 (FBC) – Ethiopian Airlines (Ethiopia) said it has lost $550 million in revenue following the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

Ethiopian Group CEO, Tewolde Gebremariam, told journalists yesterday that COVID-19 pandemic has been seriously affecting the aviation industry.

Ethiopian has suspended 90% of its international passengers’ services and is now flying only to 19 destinations, down from 110.

But, despite a reduction in passengers’ flights, the airlines’ cargo operations and Maintenance Repair and Overhaul (MRO) services are doing well, he said.

Other airlines are receiving support from their countries but Ethiopian is trying to pass the current crisis on its own, the CEO stated. The US has injected $58 billion in aid to its aviation industry.

The CEO also rejected the false information circulated in some social and traditional media, which wrongly state as if the Ethiopian is laying off employees.

Ethiopian has not laid off any regular employees and has no plans to do so, he said.

When asked about safety of passengers and employees, the CEO said the airline has been applying all cautionary advises by the World Health Organization (WHO).

However, 3 cabin crew have so far tested positive for COVID-19, he said.