Ivory Coast targets first direct flight to US by early 2018

Ivory Coast is in talks with 3 African airlines to operate the first direct route to the US by early 2018 as the West African nation seeks to attract more investors to its fast-growing economy. The most advanced discussions are with Ethiopian Airlines, which is due to send a delegation to Ivory Coast before the end of the month, Transport minister Amadou Kone said. Ethiopian leads Kenya Airways, which only made “first contact” with the govt last week, and South African Airways, he said. The move would fit with the strategy of Ethiopian, which is pushing to consolidate its lead as the continent’s biggest airline with new hubs and already flies to Ivory Coast and the US. It would make less sense for SAA, which is relying on a govt-led recapitalisation to remain in operation. <br/>