Two Britons on tin-pot airline crash

[Legend83]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/84780...

Beirut Minister claims no foul play, but interesting that eye-witnesses claimed it came down in a ball of fire....

[krallicious]

It was taking off in bad weather according to the article but I'm more than certain that a lightening strike could not cause the aircraft to come down in a ball of flames?

Terrible news all the same. According to German radio there are several ships all ready in situ helping with the recovery.

[loltolhurst]

how can ethiopia afford an airline??

[krallicious]

loltolhurst said:

how can ethiopia afford an airline??

Have just spent 750 million on 10 aircraft! It is rediculous to think they have that kind of money when theit country is an absolute state. Having said that, who owns the airline?

[Legend83]

loltolhurst said:

how can ethiopia afford an airline??

According to the article they have just bought a load of 737s and were one of the first African airlines to order the new Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

[andy43]

loltolhurst said:

how can ethiopia afford an airline??

Foreign aid?
Or chances are, it can't afford to MOT it's planes - which is why it crashed.

[jshell]

krallicious said:

loltolhurst said:

how can ethiopia afford an airline??

Have just spent 750 million on 10 aircraft! It is rediculous to think they have that kind of money when theit country is an absolute state. Having said that, who owns the airline?

You've just 'summed up' Africa.

[loltolhurst]

krallicious said:

loltolhurst said:

how can ethiopia afford an airline??

Have just spent 750 million on 10 aircraft! It is rediculous to think they have that kind of money when theit country is an absolute state. Having said that, who owns the airline?

according to bbc: It was founded in 1945 and is 100%-owned by the Ethiopian government.

maybe blue peter should do an appeal for plane spares not rice in future?

[10 Pence Short]

krallicious said:

loltolhurst said:

how can ethiopia afford an airline??

Have just spent 750 million on 10 aircraft! It is rediculous to think they have that kind of money when theit country is an absolute state. Having said that, who owns the airline?

Do you really think they have that kind of money sat in the bank? I would expect there will be finance in place over many years to fund those jets.

[krallicious]

10 Pence Short said:

krallicious said:

loltolhurst said:

how can ethiopia afford an airline??

Have just spent 750 million on 10 aircraft! It is rediculous to think they have that kind of money when the country is an absolute state. Having said that, who owns the airline?

Do you really think they have that kind of money sat in the bank? I would expect there will be finance in place over many years to fund those jets.

Indeed but the interest rate must be sky high as I cannot believe that Ethiopia would be a preferred lendee. How much is to be be repaid each year? Surely that money would be better spent lining the pockets of government ministers feeding the population?

Edited by krallicious on Monday 25th January 11:05

[telecat]

Generally Ethiopian Airlines are the best African carrier compatible with European carriers. Most on PPRUNE are defending their record and looking at the weather conditions a s a cause. A terrorist attack at this time seems an unlikely cause of the crash.

[Bill]

10 Pence Short said:

krallicious said:

loltolhurst said:

how can ethiopia afford an airline??

Have just spent 750 million on 10 aircraft! It is rediculous to think they have that kind of money when theit country is an absolute state. Having said that, who owns the airline?

Do you really think they have that kind of money sat in the bank? I would expect there will be finance in place over many years to fund those jets.

Bingo. And how else do they get tourists into the country, to bring in some much needed foreign currency?

[krallicious]

telecat said:

Generally Ethiopian Airlines are the best African carrier compatible with European carriers. Most on PPRUNE are defending their record and looking at the weather conditions a s a cause. A terrorist attack at this time seems an unlikely cause of the crash.

First incident since a hijacking in 1996.

[loltolhurst]

Bill said:

10 Pence Short said:

krallicious said:

loltolhurst said:

how can ethiopia afford an airline??

Have just spent 750 million on 10 aircraft! It is rediculous to think they have that kind of money when theit country is an absolute state. Having said that, who owns the airline?

Do you really think they have that kind of money sat in the bank? I would expect there will be finance in place over many years to fund those jets.

Bingo. And how else do they get tourists into the country, to bring in some much needed foreign currency?

are there not other airlines...should haiti spend its cash on an airline??

[Bill]

loltolhurst said:

are there not other airlines...

There are, but how many would fly to Ethiopia on the off chance the tourist trade picks up.

[loltolhurst]

Bill said:

loltolhurst said:

are there not other airlines...

There are, but how many would fly to Ethiopia on the off chance the tourist trade picks up.

loads of them fly there at the mo..

[10 Pence Short]

If the airline is a viable going concern, what business is it of ours to suggest they stop because the country's government can't feed the population? Some of the comments on PH get stranger and stranger by the day.

[vz-r_dave]

Can someone please change the title to this thread please, its utter tripe.

[Legend83]

vz-r_dave said:

Can someone please change the title to this thread please, its utter tripe.

Which bit? That 'on' should be 'in' or the accusation that Ethiopian Airways is a tin-pot airline?

[vz-r_dave]

I am not one to correct people on grammar

I just dont like the "Tin pot" comment, its clearly not a "Tin pot" airline.

Now if you had made that comment about the recent Iranian incident I would have agreed.