What’s intended to be a cute initiative on Ethiopian Airlines’ part has backfired, as authorities in Lebanon took issue with a little detail on an aircraft belonging to the airline…
In this post:
Lebanese authorities angry over Ethiopian Airlines plane
Ethiopian Airlines has what I’d consider to be a fun tradition, whereby the airline writes the name of a city on its newly delivered jets. Specifically, the airline writes the name of the first city that a particular aircraft flies to after it’s delivered and enters service.
In the case of the four-year-old Ethiopian Boeing 787-9 with the registration code ET-AXK, that first destination was Tel Aviv, so along the back of the fuselage, you’ll see “Tel Aviv” written in small letters. That didn’t go over too well yesterday, when this particular jet operated a flight to Beirut.
Shortly after 2AM on Thursday, April 25, 2024, this Ethiopian Boeing 787 flew from Addis Ababa (ADD) to Beirut (BEY), where it had a short turnaround. However, while on the ground, airport security noticed that “Tel Aviv” was written on the aircraft.
The country’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation took issue with this, given that Lebanon and Israel are technically in a state of war, and have never had diplomatic relations. Authorities requested that the phrase “Tel Aviv” be removed from the aircraft before it could depart Beirut.
Amazingly enough that was somehow done, without the plane being delayed — it took off around 90 minutes after it landed. I’m curious about the logistics of that. Was this just a decal that came off easily, or…?
Lebanese authorities have also issued the airline a warning, telling the Star Alliance carrier to ensure that there are no logos related to Israel on any company aircraft when flying to the airport in the future.
This is sad, but I can’t say I’m surprised
Airlines make the world a smaller place, and connect people and cultures. I love the idea of what Ethiopian Airlines does with writing the name of a city on the side of each plane, since it’s a nice reflection of just how global the airline is.
Now, I guess I can’t say I’m surprised that this caused issues, given the times we live in. But at the same time, it’s sad, because there was no ill intent here, and the fact is that Ethiopian Airlines has historically flown to Israel. So just as a jet might have “Beirut” written on it, it might also have “Tel Aviv” written on it.
Ethiopian Airlines wasn’t even trolling Lebanon here, unlike when Lufthansa flew its “Diversity Wins” A330 to Qatar for the World Cup (which is trolling I approve of).
I also loved how back in the day, Emirates flight attendants had the option of wearing flag pins from their home country, since it was a fun reminder of just how global the staff at the airline are, and for that matter, a great refresher on flags. Unfortunately that had to be eliminated several years back, when China (PRC) demanded that no Emirates flight attendants wear Taiwan pins. The only solution was to end this practice altogether.
Bottom line
An Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 787 touched down in Beirut yesterday morning with “Tel Aviv” written on its fuselage, which didn’t go over well with authorities. There was no ill-intent here against Lebanon — the airline simply likes to note the first airport a particular aircraft flies to, and in this case it was Tel Aviv. But given relations in the region, that wasn’t well received.
What do you make of this Ethiopian Airlines mess?
While Israel and Lebanon are technically at war, if an Ethiopian Plane landed in Israel with the word “Beirut” on its wing, I doubt that there would have been any problem which says a lot about the two sides.
Sounds like a apartheid
When you have a national -- and the only -- airport under the influence of Hizbullah....this happens. As if Tel Aviv does not exist....How does a world city name offend the airport authorities?
That’s racism for ya. Cowards have in to Hezbollah. I guess if that’s what they gotta do to rein in the terrorists and prevent them from get Lebanese people killed in the crossfire. But Lebanon doesn’t generally give a shit about Israel anymore. Aside from Hezbollah, most Lebanese people just want to live their lives and do well for themselves. It’s a shame that the world is so tolerant of terrorist groups so long as they’re attacking Jews..
Sure there wasn’t ill intent but there was also no cultural sensitivity! Would Israel allow a plane named Hitler to land in Tel Aviv? Lebanon has every right to ban or welcome any vehicle into its territory. Also ironic to whine about this while ignoring the bigger context, that 10 million Palestinians are deprived of access to their homeland. Too much free time on the author’s hands, plus probably some racism at play here..
To equate the country of Israel and Hitler is an indication of your deep hatred of Jews. We see you for what you are.
Thank you. Just look at the name Haithem......hate them...
If an Ethiopian Airlines plane named "Beirut" landed in Israel, there would be no issue. It shows you the difference between a peace seeking nation vs. religion-based hatred.
I doesn't sound like they *named* this plan, rather labeled. (Names would be unique, labels aren't.)
Lufthansa never flew that Fanhansa aircraft to Qatar. Just to Oman.
Because they are all virtue signalling but no substance. I am not surprised Ben likes that ridiculous stance.
At least the Lebanese don’t do what the Israelis do - inject Black Ethiopian women with birth control pills against their will.
I'm embarrassed for you.
What is there to be embarrassed about? The fact that I am against white extremist Zionist behaviour against black Ethiopian women?
https://amp.theguardian.com/world/2013/feb/28/ethiopian-women-given-contraceptives-israel
Imagine, just imagine, a Swiss airplane landing in London, in 1942, and with a name « Adolf » or « Berlin » or « Reich » painted on her sides.
Will she be welcome ?
I don’t think so.
In sensitive situations, we must behave with tact to not offend anyone.
Political correctness is a disease.
really?, 'Sad'? And 'trolling I approve of'? what's truly pathetic, Ben, is that you feign ignorance and pretend not to have the mental acuity to recognise that the name ’Tel Aviv’ is now synonymous with ‘genocidal’ baby killers. and, in the same breath, you cheer for the 'hypocritical trolling” that lectures the world about equality and diversity while simultaneously at home, suppressing, doxxing, arresting, and attempting to silence anyone daring to criticise the maniacy of...
really?, 'Sad'? And 'trolling I approve of'? what's truly pathetic, Ben, is that you feign ignorance and pretend not to have the mental acuity to recognise that the name ’Tel Aviv’ is now synonymous with ‘genocidal’ baby killers. and, in the same breath, you cheer for the 'hypocritical trolling” that lectures the world about equality and diversity while simultaneously at home, suppressing, doxxing, arresting, and attempting to silence anyone daring to criticise the maniacy of the apartheid regime! Shame!
Stop typing nonsense and educate yourself.
Allegations are not proof. You should withhold from making such declarative statements until the investigation is complete. Because you obviously hate Israel, you seem ready to accept without question that this occurred. I’m not saying it didn’t. I’m saying we don’t yet know and your comments only serve to inflame things.
Quickly forgotten the mini atomic that was sent to the heart of Beirut.
We all forget because we don't live there and didn't experience it, but the people on the ground don't forget stuff like that.
It is sad. But people get hurt and that pain lingers on. Ask a Vietnam Vet.
The problem with all of these initiatives is that there is no thought. Sometimes it is purposely done. Sometimes it is unintentional, but the important point is that people need to put some thought into this. You may not agree with the opinions and direction of the other country but you still need to be respectful about the situation of the other country and its people.
Nah, you don't. There's far too much hand-wringing and pearl-clutching about "sensitivity" these days. The reaction described in this post is childish, pathetic, and typically Lebanese. As we say in Australia, "drink a glass of concrete and toughen the **ck up".
Australia? An island of nice, hard working people in the Sea of Nowhere. Not sure you’re close enough to the action for proper analysis. Mate!
My guess is they used Speedtape to cover it. It's authorized for use at every mechanic shop has it.
Gaffer tape us so useful for covering up - erm - gaffs !!!
The naming convention has nothing to do with the first city the aircraft operates to. The aircraft are named in advance of delivery and the name applied at the factory before the aircraft even makes a test flight. You even posted a tweet showing this particular aircraft still at Boeing but with the name painted on.
If they were named after the first destination of a new aircraft, two-thirds of the Ethiopian fleet would be named either "Dubai" or "Nairobi"
Some 50 years ago Beirut was still the Paris of Middle East, a place that celebrities and business people would flock to. Now it's among the world's poorest places and can't cope with a foreign aircraft having a foreign capital name written on it. Evolution has not simply gone backwards, but done so at an alarming rate in some parts of the world.
And today, Paris is the Middle East of Europe. Oh, the times, they are a-changing.
Tel Aviv isn’t the capital. Jerusalem is the actual capital of Israel.
"Authorities requested that the phrase “Tel Aviv” be removed from the aircraft before it could depart Beirut."
Are you sure this was just a request and not a demand? Certain sounds like the latter!
They should have just paid the bribe and continued on as normal, just like everyone else in Lebanon does.
Ask this question to the students of different universities in USA and not to entitled people who know nothing beyond their wHole
did any of the passengers complain?
The level of hate is unbelievable. Meanwhile TLV has tons of Lebanese restaurants.
Are you sure the name is the first destination? Lots of ET plane names in that rear position are not destinations (eg ET-AOV "Taj Mahal or ET-ANQ "Mount Kilimanjaro") or even people (eg. ET-AOP "Queen of Sheba")
How did they know where to fly if they couldn't refer to the writing on the outside of the fuselage?
You would think folks in the airline biz would have some sense of global sensitivities…
Do I need to go back to Beirut and kick some more @$$ like I did 36 years ago?
Oh please like you did anything in Lebanon lol
RIP Leslie Nielsen!!
Phew! Thank god the Lebanese have solved all of the important problems in their country, so they can focus on what decals are on planes landing at their airport.
"Sad"? And Qatar and the LH jet is "trolling"? Can you at least try to use more descriptive terms and/or take positions instead of these neutral / teenager expressions?
I missed "drama" in the title -- how about "threat" / "extortion" / "abuse" / "interference"?
Get a life.
So infantile. Grow up, Lebanon. A few letters on a plane doesn’t mean anything.
So can Air India fly one of their planes to Tel Aviv with a swastika? After all, the swastika has been used in Sanskrit since the 5th or 4th century BC.
AI is run by the Tata family now, which is Parsi, not Hindu
What a jackass comment.
Exactly!
I would be shocked if Israel actually took any issue at all should something like that happen. This is a bit of a red herring.
I don’t see why that would be a problem at all. As an Indian cultural symbol there would be no reason to complain. Israelis know this - India is one of the most popular destinations for young Israeli tourists. They’ve seen the Indian version of the swastika plenty.
@jacobin777 - Exactly!
So SS wouldn’t offend an Israeli?
Duck tape... :-)
Good thing it didn’t try to land at a US university.
Best comment award
It might have been held accountable if it did lol
New levels of childishness. Lebanon has basically proven that it’s a colony of Iran.
Not sad at all!