Ethiopian Air Denies Contract To Evacuate Nigerians Stranded In Canada

Ethiopian Airlines has said that it has not been contracted to evacuate Nigerians stranded in Canada.

This disclosure came amidst controversy over the evacuation of Nigerians in the North American country.  The controversy started after the Canadian authorities refused to grant Air Peace the right to evacuate the stranded Nigerians. Peace Air was designated by the federal government for the evacuation exercise.

There have been speculations that a special arrangement has been made with Ethiopian Airlines to carry out the evacuation after Air Peace, Nigeria’s biggest carrier was denied the right even when the affected passengers have already paid for the flight. But Ethiopian Airlines General Manager in Nigeria, Firihewot Mekonnen clarified yesterday that the airline has not been contracted to carry out the evacuation flight.

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The airline however confirmed evacuating 187 Canadians stranded in Nigeria on Thursday last week (May 21). The evacuation flight took off from Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos. The flight number was B787 to Addis Ababa onward transfer to Canada.

The GM said Ethiopian Airlines have been operating regular flights between Addis Ababa and Toronto Canada for years. She disclosed in a statement that more Canadians would be evacuated as arrangements are ongoing.

The airline however confirmed evacuating 187 Canadians stranded in Nigeria on Thursday last week (May 21) from Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos on B787 to Addis Ababa onward transfer to Canada.

The GM said Ethiopian Airlines have been operating regular flights between Addis Ababa and Toronto Canada for years. She disclosed in a statement that more Canadians would be evacuated as arrangements are ongoing.

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