ADDIS ABABA, March 19 (Xinhuanet) -- Emirates, one of the world's fastest growing international airlines, is gearing up for the launch of its thrice-a-week service to Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa, the management said Sunday.

    The Dubai-based airline, which will start operations to Addis Ababa effective March 27, has already recruited Ethiopian nationals to manage its passenger, airport and cargo operations, said Sudhir Sreedharan, manager of Emirates' Ethiopia office.

    Currently, the Emirates team in Addis Ababa comprises 14 Ethiopians, to be increased to 30 plus in due course.

    Preparations are also underway to have the new Emirates office functional by the start of operations late this month.

    The Ethiopia office at downtown Dembel City Center will be spread over three floors and will house the airline's ticketing, sales, reservations, finance, and management departments.

    The entry into Ethiopian market by the Middle East airlines hasbrought about a stiff competition for the Ethiopian Airlines (EAL),Ethiopia's 60-year-old national flag carrier. Qatar and Gulf will follow suit sometime this year, after Emirates' launch of operations to Addis Ababa.

    EAL is not only facing competition in terms of selling flight tickets but also in hiring professionals, EAL CEO Girma Wake said Saturday.

    It is losing its staff to the Middle East giants, he said. Several senior captains have left for the Middle East in search ofbetter paying jobs. Only last year, about 20 pilots left EAL and joined these airlines. EAL has about 200 pilots and 27 aircrafts.

    EAL is also losing other professionals, said Girma. About 20 marketing officers left it to join different international airliners recently. Enditem