By Philip Mwakio

An inaugural Ethiopian Airline flight from Addis Ababa touched down at the Moi International Airport in Mombasa, on Sunday.

This marked the introduction of direct flight from the Ethiopian capital to the coastal city.

Kenya Maritime Authority Director General Nancy Karigithu who represented Transport Minister Chirau Mwakwere said the event marked a new chapter in aviation services between Kenya and Ethiopia.

"Competition in a liberalised economy is healthy as it will facilitate trade," she said.

"African airlines are being encouraged to have more connectivity to stay afloat in the emerging global competition," said Kenya Civil Aviation Authority board chairman Charles Wako. Kenya Association of Hotelkeepers and Caterers Coast branch chairman Titus Kangangi said the new service would help open up the Kenyan Coast to Ethiopian tourists.

Ethiopian Ambassador to Kenya, Dishasa Diribsa, said Kenya and Ethiopia continue to enjoy cordial relations. "This new service will further augment the cordial relations," the envoy said. The airline’s regional manager Konjit Tedla, said the addition of Mombasa into Ethiopian Airlines routes brings to 10 it’s East African destinations.

"This route will increase Ethiopia’s formidable strength in the region and enhance tourism growth plus travel convenience to Mombasa," she said.

She added that Ethiopian Airlines was in the process of boosting its fleet with modern aircraft.

"The airline will be the first to operate the ultra long range B777-200 model in Africa," she said.