- ETHIOPIAN AIRLINES IS THE BIGGEST AFRICAN CARRIER
- CREW HAS BEEN SUSPENDED PENDING INVESTIGATIONS
- INCIDENT COULD HAVE BEEN A RESULT OF AIRLINE OVERWORKING CREW
Ethiopian Airlines is the biggest African carrier. Image, Airspace Africa
Ethiopian Airlines is still considered to be among the safest airlines. Image, Voyage Afriq
Ethiopian Airlines said Friday that the crew had been “removed from operation pending further investigation. Appropriate corrective action will be taken based on the outcome of the investigation. Safety has always been and will continue to be our first priority.” The statement did not state whether the pilots had been sleeping.
Experts have said that the Ethiopian Airlines mishap said the incident could have been a result of the airline overworking the pilots or other external factors. Hassan Shahidi of the Flight Safety Foundation, an independent nonprofit organization, told the press that that pilot fatigue “would certainly be investigated in terms of exactly how many hours they were flying and potentially whether fatigue or scheduling may have played a role in this, but it is, at the end of the day, the responsibility of the crew if they are fatigued or if they are tired, to report that they’re tired.”
ETHIOPIAN AIRLINES BOASTS AFRICA’S LARGEST FLEET
Ethiopian Airlines is Africa’s largest carrier and, according to experts, has a good safety record. Sean Mendis, a former regional airline manager in Africa, said, “I would not hesitate to fly on Ethiopian myself. I was on two Ethiopian Airlines flights this week already. I’ve got another one booked for the next few weeks. And, you know, Ethiopian does remain one of the safest airlines in Africa and, indeed, in the world.”
The outcome of the investigation was expected to come quickly, as Ethiopian Airlines attempts to dispel passenger concerns over safety. Airlines around the globe should take a cue from the Ethiopian Airlines mishap to review safety drills and pilot flying hours at a time so as to avert impending disaster.