Ethiopian Airlines is contemplating regional merger proposal, but  merger don't appear likely and practical, Yisihak Zewolde, director of Star Alliance at Ethiopian told reporters. At the 44th Africa Airline Association conference in Johannesburg, Kenya Airways CEO, Titus Naikuni extended invitation of merger with the regional giants, Ethiopian and South African Airways.

Ethiopian took the proposal positively and is studying it at management level, however, Ethiopian has doubt on the feasibility of the merger, citing as instance that Ethiopian Airline belonging to the Star Alliance and Kenya Airways in SkyTeam.

Ethiopian on Thursday, 13 November celebrated its 1st year since joining the Star Alliance, a global airline alliance with 29 members.

Ethiopian reported its first year's performance as a member of the alliance have been encouraging. From its first year of membership with Star Alliance, Ethiopian has benefited its customers to connect to 1,358 airports in 193 countries through the 21,956 daily flights offered by alliance member airlines. Ethiopian is also working on a code sharing arrangement with individual members of the Alliance.

On the day of the celebration, marking Ethiopians firs year with the Star Alliance, Ethiopian awarded a round trip tickets  to passengers who fly Ethiopian from the Star Alliance hubs within its network- Frankfurt, Washington DC and Beijing - to Addis Ababa on that particular date.

Yisihak has also announced on the occasion of the celebration, passengers of Star Alliance member airlines can use the exclusive business lounge, Star terminal and the recently launched T2 lounge in London which enables passengers to use the same terminal relieving passengers of the frustration of waiting for their luggage and belongings at transits.

Source: The Reporter