Ethiopian Airlines resumed its Karachi operation after a lapse of four decades. The inaugural flight landed at the city airport’s old terminal with 110 passengers, including three Ethiopian state ministers in the wee hours of Tuesday.

“This has opened new vistas of trade and commerce, investment, and tourism between Pakistan and African countries,” said Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah in a statement. He was accompanied by provincial ministers, Sharjeel Memon, Jam Ikram, Syed Nasir Shah, and Advisor Murtaza Wahab.

The chief minister received the three Ethiopian state ministers and their senior officers. Ambassador of Ethiopia Jemal Beker Abdulla was also present on the occasion.

CM Murad was of the view that it was a “great breakthrough” that the Ethiopian airline started its commercial operation in Karachi on May 9. “This commercial operation of the airline is bound to boost trade between the two countries, promote tourism and help to explore investment opportunities,” he said and added the airline has opened the gate to African countries.

State Minister of Ethiopia for Foreign Affairs Mesganu Arga thanked the Sindh chief minister for personally inaugurating the airline operation. He hoped it would open new avenues for mutual cooperation, and increase trade and commerce, and tourism.

The chief minister cut the cake to formally inaugurate the airline operation and presented Ajrak and Sindhi caps to the visiting ministers.