One Year In: Ethiopian Airlines Flight Unites Diaspora, Connects Atlanta to All of Africa
One Year Anniversary of Direct Service
Last year, on this day, Ethiopian Airlines launched a strategic route that not only linked the cities of Atlanta, USA and Addis Ababa, Ethiopia but effectively opened a gateway to Africa. The operation of this direct flight has done more than bridging the geophysical gap of thousands of miles between the United States and Africa; it has fostered greater cultural, economic and social connections, thus unifying the wide African diaspora in Atlanta.
Creating Connections and Strengthening Bonds
Atlanta, prior to the launch of this flight, was only directly connected to two points in Africa. The introduction of Ethiopian Airlines’ new service now offers extensive connectivity to over 64 African destinations and has radically transformed air travel for the large diaspora community in Atlanta, providing convenient travel options for African-bound travelers.
This has resulted in immense enthusiasm from various African diaspora communities in Atlanta, who celebrate this flight as an airline that is “our own, by our own and for us”. The pan-African spirit of the flight has sparked a renewed communal unity and a collective realization of the African heritage, creating immense positive response from the community.
Impacting International Trade and Business Relations
Over the past 12 months, Ethiopian Airlines has transported around 1,200 tons of cargo and approximately 53,000 passengers between Atlanta and Addis Ababa. The service has also seen many passengers connecting through Addis Ababa to other international destinations in Europe, Asia and beyond, thus facilitating multi-faceted international business relationships.
The airline’s operation has also stimulated a booming import-export business, which has resulted in a surge in economic activity. In part due to this, the flight has received wide-ranging support from the African diaspora, particularly in the business community.
Hopes for Increasing Flight Frequencies
Given the tremendous success and potential of the Atlanta-Addis Ababa flight in its inaugural year, the community is hopeful for an increase in frequency to a daily flight. This would offer more opportunities to connect people in Atlanta to communities and business opportunities across Africa, Europe and Asia.
With plans already in motion to increase the flight frequency, the prospects look bright for further strengthening the cultural and economic bonds between the Southeast United States and Africa. This is just the beginning for the Atlanta-Addis Ababa or, more broadly, the Atlanta-Africa connection. It is a model of how air travel can be leveraged not just as a mode of transportation, but as a conduit for cultural, social and economic connectivity.
