Ethiopian Airlines Should be Called Ebola Airlines

Ethiopian Airlines is accused of spreading Ebola to Ethiopia,

and potentially to East Africa

October 15, 2014 | Madote.com

A few weeks ago, my friend and I were discussing the dangers of Ebola to the Horn of Africa. Long story short, we both felt the virus would come to Ethiopia via Ethiopian Airlines, and that it would gradually spread to other countries in the region months later.

Yesterday, a report claimed there are four suspected cases of Ebola in Addis Ababa, and that the virus allegedly came from an unnamed West African diplomat who flew in to the country with Ethiopian Airlines.

While numerous carriers have suspended flights to regions suffering from an Ebola outbreak, Ethiopian Airlines remains the only carrier in East Africa to continue several flights daily to these affected regions.

Ethiopia is insistent that continuing flights poses no additional threat.

“This is a time we have to show solidarity,” Said Addis Tamire Woldemariam, director general of the office of the Ethiopian minister of health. “We are citizens of Africa. We believe we have to continue flying.”

While Addis Ababa is playing on African solidarity sentiments to cover its negligent role in potentially spreading Ebola to the region, its motives, however, are purely financial. The significantly fewer flights to Ebola affected countries means big profit margins for the state-owned Ethiopian Airlines. In essence, the Ethiopian dictatorship has put profit before the welfare of its citizens and its neighbors.

As a result of its financial greed, Ethiopian Airlines should be boycotted by all travelers. Your next trip on this airliner could  have a person suffering from Ebola on it, or you could come into contact with the virus from a passenger who may have contaminated your seat or the seats around you from a previous flight. The risk is there, and if you value your health, you should avoid it.

So until the Ethiopian dictatorship suspends flights to West African regions suffering from the Ebola outbreak, Ethiopian Airlines should be called Ebola Airlines.