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The Ethiopian Airlines which has resumed suspended flights after successful negotiations in Addis Ababa has also ascertained that its prior approval of Egal airport after assessment still stands” FM Behi
“The government shall immediately put in place related security measures at Egal Airport like a permanent perimeter fence which led to the suspension of services by Ethiopian airlines recently as per agreement of discussions in Addis Ababa” Waran’ade
By: Yusuf M Hasan
HARGEISA (Somalilandsun) – The government of Somaliland has officially disclosed that Ethiopian airlines suspended its flights to the country due to security fears and not poor upgrade works at the at the Egal international airport.
This was jointly stated by the minister of Foreign affairs Mohamed Behi and interior minister Ali Waran’ade Yonis during a press briefing at the Egal international airport VIP Lounge upon their arrival from working tours abroad the latest being in Addis Ababa where amicable arrangements were put in place with Ethiopian government and airline officials as per resumption of flights by the regional airliner.
“The Ethiopian Airlines which has resumed suspended flights after successful negotiations in Addis Ababa has also ascertained that its prior approval of Egal airport after assessment still stands” said Foreign Minister Mohamed Behi who spearheaded the talks between the Ethiopians and the government team he led composed of the interior minister and Aviation minister Mahmud Abdi Hashi in which the aptness of upgrade works at the city based Egal international airport stands as assessed by Ethiopian airlines added that full service resumption is back on course.
Informing that they arrived in an Ethiopian airlines flight which is the first after agreement for the regional airliner to suspend its suspension of flights to the country interior minister Ali Waran’ade who stressed on the airlines confidence in upgrade works said minor security fears shall be corrected anon to facilitate back to service for the 737 Boeing class crafts operated by Ethiopian and much in demand in the country.
Revealing that the airline initially suspended operations due to perceived insecurity prevalent at the airport minister Waran’ade said “The government shall immediately put in place related security measures at Egal Airport like a permanent perimeter fence which led to the suspension of services by Ethiopian airlines recently as per agreement of discussions in Addis Ababa”
Both the interior and foreign ministers said that the fears raised by Ethiopian airlines are not confined to the country or its airports only but a global stipulation at all airports.
Following the officially opening of Egal international airport by the Somaliland president Ahmed Mahmud Silanyo late August Ethiopian Airlines upon recommendations from its assessment team was the first to land a Boeing 737 class craft on the 1st of September 2013.
The opening of the airport that had been under a year’s upgrade works courtesy of funding availed by Kuwait several other carriers including Kenya airways and Yemeni airlines among others indicated an interested and negotiations are ongoing with aviation ministry officials.
