Ethiopian Airlines says in talks for stake in Eritrean Airlines

Ethiopian Airlines is in talks to take a stake in Eritrean Airlines and a study will be conducted to determine the size of the acquisition, the Ethiopian carrier's CE said Thursday. "We are assessing the situation of Eritrean Airlines right now," Tewolde GebreMariam said. "I spoke with the CEO yesterday. They have one leased airplane, a (Boeing) 737. We have started discussions." Tewolde travelled to Asmara Wednesday with an Ethiopian delegation on the first commercial flight from Ethiopia to Eritrea in 20 years. The CEO said that based on the demand and bookings he had seen, starting in a couple of weeks Ethiopian Airlines would fly twice daily to Asmara. "We plan (also) to fly to Massawa and Assab. We have not assessed the market (in the two towns), so we will send market research people," he said. "The demand is heavy not only because of Eritrea and Ethiopia but also demand from Eritreans living in Europe, America and so on who are eager to visit friends and relatives in Asmara,” he added. "Connections were (previously) not smooth for them to come back home. They have (had) to go through Dubai or Istanbul and it is not convenient. Now they will have direct flights from the US, Canada and Europe."<br/>