Ethiopian Graduates 121 Pilots, Aviation Technicians and Cabin Crew - 09 July, 2013

As always, this round of graduates included trainees from other African countries. Among the graduates are five female pilots from Mozambique and two aviation technicians from Namibia.

"Pan-Africanism has always been in the DNA of Ethiopian Airlines. As one of our seven strategic business units, the Ethiopian Aviation Academy has always been the symbol of African integration and Pan African cooperation. Today, I am pleased to see five Mozambique women pilots and two Namibian aircraft technicians standing together with their Ethiopian brothers and sisters in the graduation ceremony, in a year when the African Union is celebrating its 50th anniversary. In line with our Vision 2025, we are currently investing heavily on the Academy and upgrading its in-take capacity so as to cater for the growing needs of the African aviation industry", said Tewolde Gebremariam, CEO of Ethiopian, handing wings and diplomas to the graduates during the ceremony.

As outlined in its Vision 2025, Ethiopian Aviation Academy is being transformed into a profit center and aims to become the leading aviation training center in Africa by multiplying fourfold its current annual in-take capacity to 4,000 trainee.

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.