Ethiopia airlines history
  • 2007

    Ethiopian was proud to have achieved two awards by African Aviation Journal and the African/Times USA. The prestigious award by the African Aviation Journal is in recognition of its excellent financial performance, passenger growth, route network expansion, fleet modernization, in-flight service and overall customer care.

    The 2007 Africa Business of the Year Award, presented to Ethiopian by the US African Times was for its "achievement and continuing contribution to the uplift of Africa’s profile and the quality of life for Africans everywhere".

    Ethiopian also secured the IATA-IOSA registration certificate as a result of "the Airline’s fundamental commitment to provide safe and reliable air transport services for passengers and cargo".

  • 2008

    Ethiopian entered into a code share agreement with Lufthansa which has put Ethiopian in a position to offer daily flights to its customers from its hub Addis Ababa to Lufthansa’s hub in Frankfurt with convenient onward flight connections to many other destinations around the world. During this period Ethiopian also entered into code-sharing agreements with other airlines including Brussels Airlines.
  • 2009

    Ethiopian ordered 35 new airplanes direct from the manufacturers. Including the orders of five B777-200LR and twelve A350-900, Ethiopian has also on order ten Boeing B787 and eight Bombardier aircrafts. These investments l enables Ethiopian to operate one of the youngest fleet in Africa with better comfort and efficiency.

    Ethiopian Airlines and ASKY signed a management contract which enables Ethiopian Airlines to manage ASKY for a period of five years. The management contract is an important move marking an historic intra-African co-operation in the airline business. The agreement helps the two carriers to develop a West African hub in Lome, Togo for the regional and inter-continental routes.

  • 2010

    Ethiopian Airlines has entered into a code share agreement with Scandinavian Airlines, one of the founding members of Star Alliance, providing travelers with better connectivity and a broad range of services between Europe and Africa.

    Ethiopian opened new services to Pointe Noire, the second largest city in the Republic of Congo, effective June 16, 2010.

  • 2011

    Ethiopian received three Boeing 777-200LLRs in 2011 increasing the total number of 777-200LRs to five.

    Ethiopian started new services to Hangzhou-China, to Malakal-Southern Sudan, Milan-Italy, Muscat-Oman. Ethiopian also launched daily nonstop flights to Beijing with its long range 777-200.

    Ethiopian received four different awards during in 2011. Ethiopian received "AFRICAN CARGO AIRLINE OF THE YEAR" Award on 24 February 2011. Ethiopian won “Deal of the Year 2010” Award on 20 April, 2011. Ethiopian Airlines also named "Africa’s Most Profitable Airlines" for the third time in a row in July 2011. Ethiopian Airlines also received the AFRAA Award for being consistently profitable over the years at the 43rd AFRAA Annual General Assembly held in Marrakesh, Morocco on November 21, 2011.

    Ethiopian signed code share with Singapore airlines and Asiana Airlines,

    Ethiopian Airlines ordered Four 777 Freighters from the Boeing Company.

    Ethiopian Aviation Academy and Ethiopian MRO secured European Aviation Safety Agency Approval. Ethiopian Airlines Aviation Academy received the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) approved part-147 type maintenance training organization certification while Ethiopian MRO Unit received EASA Part 145 approval.

    On December 11, 2011, Ethiopian Airlines Captain flew the first 787 to the African soil with debut landing at Addis Ababa’s Bole International Airport.

    Ethiopian Airlines joined Star Alliance on December 13, 2011. At a ceremony held at Addis Ababa’s Bole International Airport the Star Alliance Chief Executive Board (CEB) welcomed Ethiopian Airlines as the Alliance’s third carrier based on the African continent.

  • 2012

    Ethiopian established its Second Hub in Lome - Togo

    ASKY is a multinational private airline based in Lome, Togo. Ethiopian Airlines a major shareholder in ASKY and has a management contract to manage and operate its services. Ethiopian’s cooperation and partnership with ASKY Airline has introduced new connectivity between West Africa and Ethiopian worldwide network.

    Ethiopian took delivery of its first Boeing 787 Dreamliner on August 14, 2012 in Seattle, Washington. Ethiopian took another leap forward by receiving its second Boeing 787 Dreamliner October 3, 2012.

    Ethiopian takes delivery of the second 737-800 Sky Interior Aircraft. The airline placed a firm order for 10 of its kind back in December 2009.

    In another milestone, Ethiopian again led the African aviation industry by being the first in the continent to receive and operate the B777 Freighter on 19 September 2012.

    Ethiopian started new services to Toronto-Canada and Berbera, the port city of Somaliland. Ethiopian also increased frequencies on its Abidjan route by offering daily flights.

    Ethiopian received five different awards during 2012. Ethiopian CEO won African Business leader of the year award from the corporate council on Africa (CCA). Ethiopian won the International Diamond Prize for Excellence in Quality by the European Society for Quality Research (ESQR) on December 2, 2012 in Brussels. Ethiopian won the "African Airline of the Year" and Captain Desta Zeru, Vice-President of Flight Operations, "Africa Legend of Travel" awards from African Travel Quarterly (ATQ) magazine.  Ethiopian also received award for Excellent Customer Service by Planet Africa Network to African Diaspora.

    Ethiopian celebrates 40th Anniversary of flights to China, inaugural flight to Beijing operated with Boeing 700 on November 7, 1973.

    Ethiopian takes delivery of the first of its five re-configured Bombardier Q-400 aircraft.

    Ethiopian places firm order for five Q400 NextGen aircrafts.

    Ethiopian ordered one additional 777-200LR (Longer Range) Worldliner adding to Ethiopian fleet of five 777-200LRs.

  • 2013

    Ethiopian became the strategic partner of the new Malawian Air with 49% equity shareholding. The remaining 51% of the shares will be held by the Malawian Government and Malawian private investors.

    Ethiopian opened a second cargo hub in Africa based in Lomé, Togo, in partnership with ASKY airlines.

    Ethiopian received five different awards during 2013. Ethiopian won an Award for pioneering the African Renaissance from the President of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. Ethiopian won SKYTRAX World Airline Award for Best Airline Staff Service in Africa for its outstanding customer service. Ethiopian won ‘Africa’s Best Business Class Airline” award by chinese passengers. Ethiopian won Bombardiers Airline Reliability Performance Award for the third year in a row. Ethiopian won the Passenger Choice Awards for “Best Regional Airline in Africa”, the African Business of the Year Award, double awards for the “African Airline of the Year” and “Best Cabin Crew in Africa”. Ethiopian CEO won Professional Excellence Award. Ethiopian CEO won 2013 Airline Strategy Award for Regional Leadership and Professional Excellence Award.

    Ethiopian started new services to Blantyre, Ndola - Zambia, Seoul - South Korea, Enugu-Nigeria, Sao Paulo Rio de Janeiro – Brazil, Niamey-Niger, Singapore, Semere-Ethiopia. Ethiopian also increased its five weekly flights to Abuja to daily service.

    Ethiopian received brand new next generation Boeing 737-800 with Sky Interior. Ethiopian received its sixth Boeing 777-200LR Worldliner. Ethiopian took delivery of its first B777-300ER leased from Boeing.

    Ethiopian leases two new Boeing 777-300ERs from Air Lease Corporation. The aircraft are scheduled for delivery in May and June 2015.

    Ethiopian colorfully celebrated 55 years and 10 years of uninterrupted service to Frankfurt and Guangzhou respectively.

    Ethiopian MRO services developed shop overhaul capability for the CFM56-3 engines.  Ethiopian MRO was granted approval for such capabilities from the Ethiopian Civil Aviation Authority (ECAA) and the USA Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

    Ethiopian signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Djibouti International Airport for the provision of sea-air and air-sea cargo transport of goods in East Africa.

    Ethiopian Aviation Academy became the first in Africa to graduate 26 pilots trained with Multi-Crew Pilot License (MPL).

    Singapore Airlines and Ethiopian Airlines entered into codeshare agreement.

  • 2014

    Ethiopian received four Boeing 787 in 2014 increasing the total number of B787 to ten. Ethiopian received two Boeing 777F increasing the total number of B777 to four. Ethiopian took delivery of three Cessna 172 pilot training aircraft. Ethiopian also leased B777-300ER from GE Capital Aviation Services Limited.

    Ethiopian started new services to Doha-Qatar, Vienna-Austria, Kano-Nigeria, Shanghai-China, Bale Robe & Kombolcha -Ethiopia. Ethiopian also launched four daily flights to Nairobi and daily flights to London.

    Ethiopian strategic partner for the southern Africa region, Malawian Airlines launcehed its first international flight to Johannesburg.

    Ethiopian received eight different awards during in 2014. Ethiopian won the “Best Airline to Africa” award by Premier Traveler Magazine. Ethiopian won the “Best Foreign Airline of the Year from Africa” by Kuala Lumpur Airport. Ethiopian won the “Airline of the Year” award from African Airlines Association (AFRAA). Ethiopian won ‘Best Airline in Africa” award for the second time in a row from Passenger Choice Awards. Ethiopian won Bombardier Reliability Performance Award for the fourth year in a row. Ethiopian won the “GOLD Level Boeing Performance Excellence Award”. Ethiopian Aviation Academy won the “Airline Training Service Provider of the Year” award from AFRAA. Ethiopian also won the “Best Airline of the Year” award from MICE Magazine in China.

    Ethiopian signed code share with ANA, Japan’s leading airline group, United Airlines and Austrian Airlines.

    Ethiopian Airlines ordered 20 737 MAX 8s from Boeing, the order represents the largest single Boeing order by number of airplanes from an African carrier.

    Ethiopian Aviation Academy joined IATA’s global training partner network as an IATA Authorized Training Center.

    Ethiopian became the largest African carrier by Revenue and Profit according to IATA.

  • 2018

    Ethiopian has availed its mobile application in the apple store and Google Play for customer to download on their mobile phones and use it to transact with the airline for many of its products and services. Besides empowering the customer to control the travel process, it will simplify, enrich and enhance customers’ experiences across the entire journey.

    Ethiopian has finalized shareholders’ agreement with the Government of Zambia for the re-launch of Zambia Airways. The Government of Zambia will be the majority shareholder with 55% and Ethiopian will have 45% stakes in the airline.

    Ethiopian has signed an Agreement with Guinea Airlines, for strategic partnership in management, maintenance and training, on January 30, 2018 at Ethiopian headquarters.

    Ethiopian Aviation Academy (EAA) has been ranked among the top World Aviation Training Centers by Aviation Voice, a global aviation news provider engaged in ranking of aviation training centers all over the world.

    Ethiopian Cargo & Logistics Services has received the” Export & Import Cargo Transportation award” at a Customers Symposium organized by Guangzhou Bayiun International Airport in China on February 7, 2018.

    Ethiopian has achieved yet another milestone, becoming the first A350 XWB Simulator Operator in Africa and among the few in the world. This machine is fitted with a full electrical motion system which delivers improved performance while providing energy savings and environmental benefits.

    Ethiopian Cargo & Logistics Services has been awarded as “Fastest growing International Cargo Airline of the Year” at Air Cargo India International conference held in Mumbai on February 21, 2018.

    Ethiopian has named Three Times Olympic Gold Medalist, Tirunesh Dibaba as its Brand Ambassador on March 8, International Women Day, while the airline launched its debut flight to Buenos Aires, its 6th gateway to the Americas, with an all women operated flight.

    Ethiopian has won the 2018 ‘Africa’s Outstanding Food Services by a Carrier’ Award as voted by PAX International readers at a ceremony held at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Hamburg, Germany in April 2018.

    Ethiopian has won the 2018 APEX Passenger Choice Awards for Best In-Flight Entertainment in Africa at the APEX Asia Conference held from March 13-14, 2018 in Shanghai, China.

    Ethiopian has been recognized by TripAdvisor, one of the largest and most reputed global travel sites, as “The Best Business Class in Africa and Indian Ocean”. 

    Ethiopian and Air Côte d'Ivoire, the national flag carrier of Côte d'Ivoire, have entered into a codeshare agreement effective May, 2018.

    Ethiopian Holidays, the tour operator wing of Ethiopian Airlines, is pleased to announce the launching of its newly revamped website.

    Ethiopian and The University of Mississippi, the largest public research university in Mississippi, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to introduce different aviation related training programs into the existing courses of Ethiopian Aviation Academy (EAA). 

    Ethiopian has won the 2017 Airline Reliability Performance Award, for the 7th year in a row, from Bombardier Aerospace.

    The Ethiopian Immigration and Nationality Affairs Main Department in collaboration with Ethiopian Airlines has launched an e-visa service for all international visitors to Ethiopia effective June 01, 2018.

    Ethiopian taken delivery of the largest B737 MAX fleet in the Continent on July 2, 2018.

    Ethiopian signed a partnership business agreement with ACM Aerospace of Germany pursuant to the aerospace manufacturing development program it has embarked on.

    Ethiopian has won SKYTRAX World Airline Award for the Best Airline in Africa, Best Business class in Africa 2018’, ‘Best Economy Class in Africa 2018’ and topped among Skytrax’s World’s Top 100 Airlines 2018 list, moving up from number 48 last year to 40, as voted for by airline customers around the world.

    Ethiopian and DHL Global Forwarding, signed a new agreement to form a joint venture company – DHL-Ethiopian Airlines Logistics Services Ltd., to build the Leading Cargo Logistics provider JV company in Africa; the company will be based in Ethiopia and do business in the entire continent of Africa, enhancing Ethiopia’s logistics infrastructure and connections.

    Ethiopian has registered record success in the just ended 2017/18 fiscal year.  In line with its 15-year strategic roadmap, Vision 2025, the airline registered historical success in financial, commercial, operational and customer service areas.

    Ethiopian and Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) signed an agreement to mark Shareholders of Zambia Airways.

    Ethiopian has finalized agreements with the Government of Chad for the launch of Chad national carrier. Ethiopian has 49 percent stake in the joint venture while the Government of Chad retains 51 percent.

    Ethiopian has been certified by ETA umwelt management Ltd., an independent environmental verifier, for establishing and maintaining environmental management system in compliance with the requirements of ISO 14001:2015.

    Ethiopian Airlines Group and Lufthansa Systems announced the introduction of Lufthansa’s Lido/Flight 4D solution in Ethiopian’s flight planning system.

    Ethiopian has been crowned “Best African Airline” at Arabian Travel Awards 2018, the second edition of Arabian Travel Awards, held on September 20, 2018 in Dubai.

    Ethiopian has won the Aviation 100 “Africa Lease Deal of the Year 2018” award by Airline Economics Magazine during the Airline Economics Growth Frontiers Dubai 2018 conference gala dinner.

    Ethiopian Maintenance & Engineering Services has become the first in Africa with capability to repair the GEnx Engine, which powers the Boeing 787 aircraft.  

    Ethiopian has won 2018 Best Airlines in Africa Award for the 7thyear in a row from African Airlines Association (AFRAA).

    Ethiopian has been crowned Company of the Year by All Africa Business Leaders Award (AABLA) on 29 November 2018 in Sandton, Johannesburg. Ethiopian Group CEO, Mr. Tewolde GebreMariam, has also been listed among the finalist in the Business Leader of the Year category of the Award.

    Ethiopian and European Union Delegation to Ethiopia signed a letter of intent to establish Ethio-European International Business School (EEIBS). The letter was signed by H.E. Ambassador Johan Borgstam, Head of the European Union Delegation to Ethiopia and Mr. Tewolde GebreMariam, Group CEO of Ethiopian Airlines on December 04, 2018 at the Airline’s Headquarters.

    Ethiopian has fully implemented Self Check-in Initiative, enabling its customers to check-in using their mobile device and avoid queues at the airport.

    319 trainees graduated in different fields from the Ethiopian Airlines Aviation Academy.

    Ethiopian started new flights in 2018 to Asmara (Eritrea) Kisangani and Mbuji-Mayi (Democratic Republic of the Congo), Nosy Be (Madagascar), Mogadishu (Somalia), Jakarta (Indonesia), Buenos Aires (Argentina), Chicago (USA), Barcelona (Spain), Geneva (Switzerland), Manchester (UK) and Moscow (Russia).

  • 2019

    Ethiopian and Hibret Bank have launched the first Co-branded debit card tailored to provide Ethiopian Sheba Miles members with bonus miles for their spending using the debit card.

    Ethiopian inaugurated state-of-the-art passenger terminal and its Skylight Hotel on January 27, 2019 in the presence of FDRE Prime Minister H.E. Dr. Abiy Ahmed, African Union Chairperson H.E. Mr Moussa Faki, Ministers, high level government officials, Ethiopian Airlines Board Members, Group CEO Ethiopian Airlines Mr Tewolde GebreMariam, Executive Management Members and invited guests. 

    Ethiopian has been awarded gold prize as the top performing cargo transportation airline at the Customers Annual Meeting organized by Guangzhou Bayiun International Airport on 30th January 2019.

    Ethiopian GCEO Receives “Most Influential People of African Descent” Award Addis Ababa, 11 February 2018

    Ethiopian Cargo & Logistics Services has been crowned with ‘African Cargo Airline of the Year’ and ‘Air Cargo Brand of the Year in Africa’ Awards for the fourth year in a row at the STAT Times International Awards for Excellence in Air Cargo held from February 19 to 21 in Johannesburg.

    Mr Tewolde GebreMariam has been inducted into The African CEO's Hall of Fame during the African Leadership Magazine's Persons of the Year ceremony which took place on February 22, 2019 in Johannesburg.

    Ethiopian Airlines regrets to confirm that its flight ET 302/10 March in scheduled service from Addis Ababa to Nairobi was involved in an accident around Bishoftu (Debre Zeit) Ejere Wereda Tulu Fera Kebele . The aircraft B-737-800MAX with registration number ET- AVJ took off at 08:38 am local time from Addis Ababa, Bole International Airport and lost contact at 08:44am. 157 passengers and flight crew lost their lives in the accident. 

    Ethiopian won the prestigious African Champion of the Year Award on March 26,2019 at the ongoing Africa CEO Forum in Kigali which is being attended by more than 1,800 delegates. 

    Ethiopian Cargo & Logistic Services, Africa’s has been once again crowned with ‘2019 Best Cargo Airline–Africa’ Award at the Air Cargo News Awards ceremony held on April 26, 2019 in London, UK.

    Ethiopian has served fans of the globally renowned British football teams Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur in their travel to Madrid where the teams played for Champions League final match.

    Ethiopian Group CEO Mr. Tewolde GebreMariam has been re-appointed to the IATA (International Air Transport Association) Board of Governors for a three year-term at the 75th annual general meeting held in Seoul, Republic of Korea.

    Ethiopian has been honored as the ‘Best Airline in Africa’ for the third consecutive year at the Skytrax 2019 World Airlines Awards held in Paris on 18 June, 2019. Additionally, Ethiopian has won ‘Best Business Class in Africa’ and ‘Best Economy Class in Africa’ at the award ceremony.

    Addis Ababa University conferred Honorary Doctorate Degree upon Mr. Tewolde GebreMariam, Group CEO of Ethiopian Airlines at the University’s annual graduation ceremony held at the Millennium Hall in Addis Ababa on 13 July, 2019.

    Ethiopian has received its 25th Dash 8-400 Aircraft, with registration number ET-AXE, from De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited.

    319 trainees graduated in different fields from the Ethiopian Airlines Aviation Academy.

    Ethiopian started new flights in 2019 to Istanbul (Turkey), Marsellie (France) Garowe and Bosaso (Somalia) currently has 123 International Passenger and Cargo destinations and 22 Domestic destinations  

  • 2000

    Three more Skytrains were purchased for the international routes. These were fitted out in a ‘luxury’ layout with 21 forward facing seats and were the first to wear the colorful Ethiopian Airlines livery.

    During the late 1940s the route network was extended to Nairobi, Port Sudan and Bombay. Charter flights were also flown to Jeddah during the Hajj season, carrying pilgrims to Makkah.

  • 1990

    Three more Skytrains were purchased for the international routes. These were fitted out in a ‘luxury’ layout with 21 forward facing seats and were the first to wear the colorful Ethiopian Airlines livery.

    During the late 1940s the route network was extended to Nairobi, Port Sudan and Bombay. Charter flights were also flown to Jeddah during the Hajj season, carrying pilgrims to Makkah.

  • 1980

    Three more Skytrains were purchased for the international routes. These were fitted out in a ‘luxury’ layout with 21 forward facing seats and were the first to wear the colorful Ethiopian Airlines livery.

    During the late 1940s the route network was extended to Nairobi, Port Sudan and Bombay. Charter flights were also flown to Jeddah during the Hajj season, carrying pilgrims to Makkah.

  • 1970

    Three more Skytrains were purchased for the international routes. These were fitted out in a ‘luxury’ layout with 21 forward facing seats and were the first to wear the colorful Ethiopian Airlines livery.

    During the late 1940s the route network was extended to Nairobi, Port Sudan and Bombay. Charter flights were also flown to Jeddah during the Hajj season, carrying pilgrims to Makkah.

  • 1960

    Three more Skytrains were purchased for the international routes. These were fitted out in a ‘luxury’ layout with 21 forward facing seats and were the first to wear the colorful Ethiopian Airlines livery.

    During the late 1940s the route network was extended to Nairobi, Port Sudan and Bombay. Charter flights were also flown to Jeddah during the Hajj season, carrying pilgrims to Makkah.

  • 1950

    Three more Skytrains were purchased for the international routes. These were fitted out in a ‘luxury’ layout with 21 forward facing seats and were the first to wear the colorful Ethiopian Airlines livery.

    During the late 1940s the route network was extended to Nairobi, Port Sudan and Bombay. Charter flights were also flown to Jeddah during the Hajj season, carrying pilgrims to Makkah.