The Ethiopian Ministry of Transport explained to members of the House of Peoples Representatives that it is committed to protecting some of the national market for the national flag carrier, Ethiopian Airlines.

The ministry is particularly aware of the threat from carriers based in the oil rich countries of the gulf which have an unfair competitive edge due to their cheaper air fare explained Diriba Kuma, Minister of Transport.

These airlines have an unfair advantage because they have better access to fuel which has become a significant challenge for Ethiopian according to Diriba. The request from Etihad Airways which has requested access to Ethiopian air space as many as 14 times a week is an example of this issue he noted.

It is to be remembered that Etihad Airlines has been arguing for increased access to the Ethiopian market as the Ethiopian Civil Aviation Authority's invitation for negotiation with its counterpart in the United Arab Emirates to realize a Bilateral Air Transport Service Agreement is yet to be answered.

Bilateral agreements are a standard procedure between national aviation agencies as recommended by the International Civil Aviation organization (ICAO) and the Chicago Convention as well as meaning transparent relations said Colonel Wossenyeleh Hunegnaw, Director General of the Ethiopian Civil Aviation Authority.

Source: The Reporter