Ethiopian Airlines has announced a promotional drive to make travel cheaper in the current global economic {www:distress}.

Ermajechew Regassa, the Airline’s Uganda manager, announced recently that the promotional drive that started on April 4 would last up to May 31 and would have major international routes on special discount rates.

One of the cheapest routes will be a return trip from Entebbe to New Delhi which has a current {www:market} rate of $850 but will now go for $500 in economy class. The other routes on {www:promotion} are Entebbe-Addis Ababa, going from $480 to $400.

The journey to two of China’s key trade cities (Guangzhou and Beijing) has also been made cheaper from $870 and $1000 to $700 and $800 respectively.

The other destinations with discounts are Entebbe to Dubai, Hong Kong and Mumbai.

“The current season is a low season. We feel there is need to offer promotional fares and due to the current economic crunch, we want to make travel less expensive,” said Regassa.

One of the biggest casualties of the current economic meltdown is the aviation industry. It has not only seen profits nosedive but also the drop in the number of passenger.

The situation in Uganda has been aggravated by the falling Uganda shilling, which has affected imports. In recent weeks, the dollar traded as high as sh2,200.

“The Ethiopian market segment is importing traders. Once importers are threatened because of the Uganda shilling versus the dollar exchange regime, things get worse,” said Regassa.

Regassa says despite tough economic times, Ethiopian Airlines is encouraging people to travel.

– The New Vision