Ethiopian CEO Wins 2013 Airline Strategy Award for Regional Leadership - 15 July, 2013

Ethiopian Airlines, the fastest growing airline in Africa, is pleased to announce that its CEO Tewolde Gebremariam has won the 2013 Airline Strategy Awards for Regional Leadership on Sunday 14 July 2013 in London.

Ethiopian CEO is the first African Airline CEO to receive the Regional Leadership award in the award’s 12 year history which is annually given out by Airline Business Magazine, a publication of Flight Global, the world’s leading aviation media brand.

The Airline Strategy Awards for Regional Leadership is given for a management team that has demonstrated excellence in leading a carrier, which provides strong transport links in its geographical region. A key criterion for this award is the successful utilization of regional markets with high operational integrity as well as the ability to produce good growth rates while keeping a tight grip on costs.

The independent panel of judges comprised of highly respected industry professionals including analysts and former chief executives gave Tewolde Gebremariam the award for delivering consistent profits while developing Ethiopian Airlines’ fleet, network and business infrastructure and, in doing so, for showing leadership in the continent.

The judges also recognized that Ethiopian success is in one of the most difficult regional markets, where airline liquidations are all too frequent, with one saying that Ethiopian is operating in a “difficult region”, and its achievement is "very impressive".

After receiving the award, Tewolde Gebremariam, Ethiopian CEO said, "I am pleased to receive this prestigious strategy award which is recognition of the hard work and special dedication of the 8,000 employees of Ethiopian Airlines. It is also a confirmation that our vision 2025 strategic road map of fast, profitable and sustainable growth is right and a sound one. As a truly indigenous pan-African airline, successful execution of our strategy is enabling the airline to serve seventy five international destinations in five continents with the aim of bringing Africa together and closer to the world. I would like to thank the Airline Business Magazine management and the panel of judges for selecting us for this award."

Ethiopian CEO was also recognized for Ethiopian multiple hubs strategy in Africa with its partner ASKY airline, which operates to 22 West African destinations on top of Ethiopian extensive network in Africa consisting of 45 points.

Ethiopian recently finalized a deal signing 49% shareholding agreement to form the new Malawi Airlines, through which it will develop a third hub to serve Southern Africa.

Ethiopian has just successfully completed its third year of its fifteen year strategic road-map, Vision 2025. By 2025, the airline aims to become the leading aviation group in Africa with seven business units generating 10 billion dollars in revenue annually.

About Ethiopian

Ethiopian Airlines (Ethiopian) is the fastest growing Airline in Africa. In its operations in the past close to seven decades, Ethiopian has become one of the continent’s leading carriers, unrivalled in efficiency and operational success.

Ethiopian commands the lion share of the pan-African passenger and cargo network operating the youngest and most modern fleet to more than 75 international destinations across five continents. Ethiopian fleet includes ultra-modern and environmentally friendly aircraft such as the Boeing 787, Boeing 777-200LR, Boeing 777-200LR Freighter and Bombardier Q-400 with double cabin. In fact, Ethiopian is the first airline in Africa to own and operate these aircraft.

Ethiopian is currently implementing a 15-year strategic plan called Vision 2025 that will see it become the leading aviation group in Africa with seven business centers: Ethiopian Domestic and Regional Airline; Ethiopian International Passenger Airline; Ethiopian Cargo; Ethiopian MRO; Ethiopian Aviation Academy; Ethiopian In-flight Catering Services; and Ethiopian Ground Service.

Ethiopian is a multi-award winning airline and a member of Star Alliance since 2011 registering an average growth of 25% in the past seven years.