Ethiopian Airlines CEO clears the dusts, says yet to submit bid, talks on Airk
After weeks of silence, the Chief Executive Officer of Africa’s largest airline by revenue, Ethiopian Airlines, Tewolde GebreMariam, weekend, revealed that both shareholders of Arik and a section of the Nigerian government may have misplaced the move it made even before the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) took over the cash-strapped airline.
Otherwise, he explained that “We haven’t had any discussions and we have not submitted a bid”.
He spoke on Sunday, in Addis Ababa, where his company has built up a major hub targeting inter-continental transfer traffic.
According to him, “Yes, there were talks last year before Arik came under the control of a national receiver – the AMCON, but was inconclusive”.
GebreMariam further explained that he was unaware of interest in Arik by any other bidders, insisting that there was no truth in reports that his company was seeking to buy Arik Air, the largest airline in Nigeria.
“Rather, Ethiopian Airlines was in talks with founding regional divisions in Zambia and Chad and was aiming to buy part of the Democratic Republic of Congo’s national operator in a push to consolidate its lead as Africa’s biggest carrier.
“An outline for a joint-venture airline in Zambia should be signed with the government and private-equity investors in a few weeks, leading to a final agreement by November”, Ethiopian Airlines boss averred.
“Parallel discussions are underway in Chad for the establishment of a new national carrier in that country.
“Ethiopian also wants to take equity in state-owned Congo Airways, with which it already has a strategic partnership including technical assistance.
He noted that the latest move to invest in Zambia, Chad and Congo will give Ethiopian Airlines a new hub in Lusaka serving southern Africa alongside Malawian Airlines, in which it has a stake.
Business Hilights had reported in June that federal government had separately appointed advisers including Deutsche Lufthansa AG’s consulting arm to evaluate the business case for setting up a new national airline, but was silent on merging few performing ones for the deal.
Indications are rife that promoters of the Ethiopian Airlines link to Arik may not be unconnected with the appointment.
