Ethiopian Graduates 26 MPL Pilots first Ever in Africa - 06 June, 2013

Leading the way past, present and future, Ethiopian Aviation Academy, has been the first in Africa and among the few in the world to start the ICAO certified training in July 2011.

The MPL training was kicked off in partnership with Flight Path International. The MPL training is a response to the ever changing and technology driven aviation industry. Ethiopian Aviation Academy is now one of the few in the world and the only one in Africa providing these training.

Today, in addition to the 26 MPL pilots, Ethiopian also graduated 68 cabin crew trainees on the same day.

"Ethiopian investment in the Aviation Academy has always been the back bone of the success of Ethiopian Airlines creating the necessary skilled and dedicated aviation personnel. Today's graduation of the first 26 MPL cadets in the continent is part of the continued milestones of Ethiopian fueling the fast, profitable and sustainable growth of Vision 2025," said Tewolde Gebremariam, CEO of Ethiopian.

Ethiopian Aviation Academy is well on its way to become one of the seven profit centers of Ethiopian as outlined in its Vision 2025 to become the leading aviation training center in Africa. Historically, the academy has opened a third of its capacity to trainees from other African countries contributing to the growth of the aviation industry in the continent.

About Ethiopian

Ethiopian Airlines, the fastest growing airline in Africa, made its maiden international flight to Cairo in 1946 and now the Airline provides dependable services to 72 international destinations spanning four continents.

Ethiopian is proud to be a Star Alliance Member. The Star Alliance network is the leading global airline network offering customers convenient worldwide reach and a smoother travel experience. The Star Alliance network offers more than 21,555 daily flights to 1,356 airports in 193 countries.

Ethiopian is a multi-award winner for its commitment and contributions towards the development and growth of the African aviation industry and in recognition of its distinguished long-haul operations enhanced by the introduction of new routes and products. Recently, Ethiopian won "Airline Reliability Performance Award" from the Bombardier Aerospace; "African Airline of the Year Award" from Air Transport Quarterly Magazine; "Transformation Award 2012" from Planet Africa Network; "International Diamond Prize for Excellence in Quality" from the European Society for Quality Research (ESQR). Also Captain Desta Zeru, Vice-President of Flight Operations, won "Africa Legend of Travel" award from African Travel Quarterly (ATQ) magazine; and Ethiopian Airlines CEO, Tewolde Gebremariam, won "African CEO of the year" from the African CEO Forum as well as "African Business Leader of the Year" award from the Corporate Council on Africa (CCA).

With its acquisition of and firm orders for several new modern fleet, the airline is well positioned to pursue aggressively the implementation of its 2025 strategic plan to become the leading aviation group in Africa.