[Interview] Rahel Tegegn Gebre  Ethiopian Airlines  KOREA branch manager 

1. What is the general policy for using Ethiopian Airlines? (Ticket rules, penalty etc.)

A. Depends on the route, fare class, time of travel, duration of stay, etc. Passengers can get this information from our web site when they make their bookings. Detained fare rules, restriction and benefits are available.

2. What is the most important things of Korean market as Ethiopian airlines perspective?

A. Ethiopian Airlines is in the business of bringing the world closer. We are encouraging and facilitating investment, tourism and cultural exchanges, exchange of expertise and knowledge transfer. As an airline, we are interested in getting fair share of the market. 

3. There are lots of places not too famous in Ethiopia. Do you have specific place to recommend for Korean?

A. Ethiopia has nine UNESCO registered cultural heritages:

• Aksum (1980)
• Rock-Hewn Churches, Lalibela (1978)
• Simien National Park (1978)
• Fasil Ghebbi, Gondar Region (1979)
• Lower Valley of the Awash (1980)
• Lower Valley of the Omo (1980)
• Tiya (1980)
• Harar Jugol, the Fortified Historic Town (2006)
• Konso Cultural Landscape (2011)

Besides these, Ethiopia offers e-visa to all visitors. Few of the places that I can menstion are: In the north - the-below-ground 13th century churches of Lalibela, holy site encompassing 11 medieval stone carved churches and the hill castles of Gondar Fasil Ghebbi- (the residence of the Ethiopian emperors during the 16th and 17th century) - as well as its mountainous and majestic topography, ruins of the city of Aksum- the heart of ancient Ethiopia. One can also explore the out of this world landscapes of the Danakil depression, the lowest and hottest place on earth and the active volcano at Ertale.

In the east we have the wander in colorful Harar, the old walled city of more than 80 mosques, 102 shrines and unique interior design in the townhouses. In south eastern Ethiopia we have the Sof Omar cave- the longest cave in Ethiopia 15.1km long through which the Weyib river flows. We have the geological wonders of the Great Rift Valley dotted with lakes, hot springs and wildlife. We have a number of national parks both in the south and north.

4. South African Airlines in South Africa, Ethiopian Airlines in Eastern Africa are both partners of Star Alliance. Are there any competitions or supplements between ET and SA in Africa?

A. Yes it is true. Ethiopian Airlines and South African Airways are members of one alliance. We cooperate through code share and when it is necessary also compete with each other.

5. What is Ethiopian’s competitiveness in Africa?

Ethiopian Airlines is:
• The largest international passenger network in Africa with multiple hubs
• The largest cargo operator in Africa
• Has the largest and oldest MRO center
• Modern and largest catering facility in Africa producing 100,000 meals a day
• Modern and youngest fleet – 100 aircraft in the air
• Fully owned and operated by Ethiopians – so totally African
• Africa is our home so we know it by heart.

Editor : John ugali KWON  john@ttlnews.com