By Azer N. Parrocha
MANILA, July 9 (PNA) –Ethiopian Airlines, Ethiopia’s flag carrier, finally touched down at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 Thursday night marking its inaugural flight to Manila.
Despite inclement weather, the airline landed the NAIA Terminal 1 at around 7:30 p.m.
The arrival of Ethiopian Airlines marks the first direct flight between Philippines and Africa.
Travelers may soon start flying between the Philippines and the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa three times a week starting Thursday.
Flights will depart Ethiopia every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday at 12:40 a.m. with a stopover in Bangkok before arriving Manila at 6:45pm.
Meanwhile, flights back to Addis Ababa will depart at 10:00 p.m. and will arrive at 6:30 a.m. the following day.
The airline said that a Boeing 767-300 aircraft will be used for the Manila flights with 24 seats in Business class and 211 seats in Economy class.
Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) General Manager Jose Angel Honrado earlier welcomed this development. He said that the entry of Ethiopian Airlines means that there were now 40 airlines utilizing the NAIA. (PNA)