Ethiopian Launches Mobile SMS based Flight Status Information and Cargo Shipment Tracking Service - 25 November, 2014

Ethiopian Airlines, the largest and most profitable airline in Africa, is pleased to announce the commencement of Mobile Short Message Service (SMS) information system for easy access to flight information and cargo tracking for customers starting November 21, 2014.

The service will make it easier than ever for Ethiopian customers to check flight status and cargo shipment information by sending a mobile short code SMS text to 8611 messaging number. The new customer service will empower our valued customers to get instant information while they are on the road. This is part of a big project called "Mobility" which will enable customers to conduct full transaction with Ethiopian Airlines from online booking, ticket purchases, check in and seat selection and so on with their mobile phone.

The service will allow Ethiopian customer to check flight availability, departure/arrival time, flight status and cargo shipment tracking information instantly. Persons welcoming passengers on Ethiopian flights can now check the exact arrival time of expected flights with simply texting 8611 with "f" followed by the flight number or "r" followed by the route they are expecting. At the same time, cargo customers may track the whereabouts of their shipment by texting "c" followed by their Air Way Bill number of shipment without the need to come to Ethiopian Airlines Cargo terminal prior to the arrival of the shipment. Guideline for using the system can also be obtained by texting "i" or "help" or visiting our social media sites on www.facebook.com/Ethiopianairlines or www.twitter.com/flyethiopian

Chief Executive Officer of Ethiopian Airlines, Tewolde Gebremariam, said: "Ethiopian is first and foremost a customer service organization. We are continuously looking at ways and means of availing to our customers the best possible travel experience both on the ground and on-board. In today’s digital era, customers want to have access to real-time and personalized information at the tip of their fingers using mobile devices. The launching of this SMS service is only the beginning of a grandiose plan to use a new system called "Mobility" which is mobile digital channels for enhancing customer experience."

Ethiopian is continuously working to improve customer experience with more features to be added to the mobile SMS service.

Ethiopian is a global Pan-African carrier currently serving 84 international destinations across 5 continents with over 200 daily flights using the latest technology aircraft such as the B777s and B787s. In August 2014, it was also a recipient of the Passenger Choice awards as the Best Airline in Africa in the most extensive survey of passengers in the industry.

Here you can click to access the guideline: Ethiopian Mobile SMS Guideline

About Ethiopian

Ethiopian Airlines (Ethiopian) is the fastest growing and most profitable airline in Africa. In 2014, IATA ranked Ethiopian as the largest airline in Africa in revenue and profit. In its operations in the past close to seven decades, Ethiopian has been a pioneer of African aviation as an aircraft technology leader providing the first jet service in the continent in 1962, and availing the first African B767 in 1984, the first African B777-200LR in 2010 and the first African and second only to Japan B787 Dreamliner in 2012.

Ethiopian commands the lion share of the pan-African passenger and cargo network operating the youngest and most modern fleet to more than 83 international destinations across five continents. Ethiopian fleet includes ultra-modern and environmentally friendly aircraft such as the Boeing 787, Boeing 777-300ER, Boeing 777-200LR, Boeing 777-200LR Freighter and Bombardier Q-400 with double cabin. In fact, Ethiopian is the first airline in Africa to own and operate these aircraft.

Ethiopian is currently implementing a 15-year strategic plan called Vision 2025 that will see it become the leading airline group in Africa with seven strategic business units: Ethiopian International Passenger Service; Ethiopian Regional Service; Ethiopian Cargo; Ethiopian MRO; Ethiopian Aviation Academy; Ethiopian In-flight Catering Service and Ethiopian Ground Service. Ethiopian is a multi-award winning, including SKYTRAX and Passenger Choice Awards in 2013 and has been registering an average growth of 25% per annum in the past seven years.