By Tamiru Geda

Thousands of Ethiopians are stranded by ash cloud

A massive bolt of lighting splits the sky above the Icelandic volcano which is bringing chaos to United Kingdom and much of Europe also affected .Ethiopian passengers and business also said among the victims of such disorder that made European skies no-flying zone for the first time, after the Second World War .

Following the volcanic clouds that started on last Thursday , more than twenty European countries fully or partially closed their air spaces . More than twenty thousands flights,including Ethiopians Airlines (Ethiopians) were axed .So far, more than Million passengers are already hit by the flight ban. Lately, British Airways, Lufthansa and KLM test flight. Encountered no difficulties . But aviation officials are insisting the danger of sands that come out of the volcanic ash , would affect commercial planes’ engines .Closed sources the to Aviation Industry believe , thousands Ethiopians ,who were either on holidays or business trips , are also stranded by the ash cloud.



Ato Brhanu Abebe , from Washington DC , who came to Manchester (UK) for five days business trip .After he finished his meeting he received a phone call from his wife who lives in the Washington .”when I picked up the phone my wife told me that my flight was cancelled. First ,I thought she was kidding me, but when I switched the Telly on I realized that she was right. I have no option but spending money and time , with out my will “ Brhanu told this writer .


Mr.Abdi, a Somali business man in Stock well Road, London, runs an Internet café and Chat/Khat importer .Because of the flight ban he couldn’t answer his angered Ethiopians and Somalis chat customers who surrounded his Internet café looking for just a single chat stems /leaves to fulfill their addiction to chat.” I get bored of looking at the sky ,the whole days expecting to see a clearer blue sky . I wish if I could import Khat using my camels from Somalia . You could imagine how it would be a disaster for we, Somalis , to live with out Khat for more than solid four days .

People are willing, to pay more than twenty pound for bunch of chat that was supposed to be sold for less than six pound, days before. British Midland International (BMI) and Ethiopians together deliver more than five tons of Khat(per week ) ,with direct flight to London. Ato Sami , Khat importer and whole sale in northern London says that his Khat business is completely affected by the flight ban . Most of his customers angered and frustrated , in connection with the unexpected suspension of Khat delivery .Several Khat chewers are forced to spend their time either in visiting their friends or going to recreational places ”I have already informed my supplier from Ethiopia ,not to cut those Awaday Khat , till we get a green light from the Aviation authority, to carry on our business. I am worried about our Khat suppliers from Ethiopia , they are also victimized because of flight suspension “Sami express his concern.



Ato Teshome, Khat retailer in East London, said that before he sold all of his Khat , for one of his regular customers ,he didn’t know what happened on European skies . Teshome said:” half an hour later, my supplier phoned me and asked me whether I have got some Khat or not .I responded to him that I have already sold all my Khat .He didn’t appreciate me , instead he told me about the volcanic dust and how much I would have profited if I kept it( the Khat), for a while. ”.He also heard that because of information gap between Khat dealers in Addis and in London , huge and exportable Khat damaged in Addis, before it left the Bole International Airport .

Khat, commonly known as Ghat, Abyssinian tea, African tea, and African Salad .Possession or distributing Khat in countries like Canada, USA, Poland , Israel , Sweden, Norway, Denmark , Switzerland and etc … is illegal where as , in Australia , growing Khat trees is legal , but it is illegal to gather the leaves or otherwise prepare the plant for consumption and supply. Individual users must obtain permits from the Authority .Individuals, allowed import less than five Kilo grams (per month ). In contrast to this, UK permits Khat importers and wholesale. There are estimated over 100, 000 and 30, 000 Somali community and Ethiopians respectively living in UK , with roughly 75% in London. An attempt to get detailed information from Ethiopian Airline, about the loss in relation to the flight ban was vain.



NewsDire Staff Writer
Tamiru Geda
Posted by Sulyman G.