Ethiopia Airlines fly Malkia Strikers business class following Yaounde heroics
By NAHASHON MUSUNGUThe national women volleyball team enjoyed an upgrade in travel hospitality by Ethiopia Airlines on its way back home from a successful trip in West Africa, Nairobi News understands.
Besides each of the 12 players aboard was gifted with a ‘Classic’ T-shirt.
The Malkia Strikers who finished second to hosts Cameroon at the Africa Nations Championship in Yaounde and subsequently booking a ticket to compete at 2018 FIVB Volleyball Women’s World Championships in Japan, arrived home on Tuesday morning via the Addis Ababa based airline.
The team’s performance drew praises from the Kenyan public as well as a congratulatory tweet from President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Congratulations to our athletes and volleyball team for a weekend of pride to Kenya.
— Uhuru Kenyatta (@UKenyatta) October 16, 2017
The seven-hour journey from Yaounde to Nairobi, via Addis turned out to be a more comfortable than earlier anticipated.
“Ethiopian Airlines appreciated the Malkias performance and gave us Business Class tickets back home, gave ladies classic T-shirt,” the team coach Japheth Munala said.
BUSINESS CLASS
A Business Class ticket on an air flight is normally far more costly as compared to the Economy Class and it’s more comfortable considering the additional space and leg-room.
Business Class travellers also enjoy special hospitality from the cabin crew including drinks and food.
This development comes even as the government tries to persuade federations to fly national teams to international destinations via the struggling national carrier Kenya Airways.
The Kenya Volleyball Federation officials however insist its cheaper to fly via Ethiopia Airlines.