Even before 9 a.m., a large crowd gathered to celebrate a flight that community members deemed a long time coming. “There is a point of return now,” Mr. Wake said. Nonprofits and global health organizations looking for deeper access into Africa also cheered the new flight. Beyond Addis Ababa, the secretariat city of the African Union, the Atlanta flight will give travelers forward connections to 63 African cities in the airline’s route map with a less than three-hour connection. “The arrival of flight 518 will strengthen our people, our culture and our economies,” said Atlanta Airport General Manager Balram Bheodari.

Source: The North Africa Journal May 27, 2023 11:28 UTC