Ethiopian Honors Pilot Graduates - 25 June, 2009

The Ethiopian Aviation Academy honoured the latest group of graduates of its pilot training programme on June 25, 2009. Twenty one trainee pilots have successfully completed the commercial pilot course with Instrument and Multi-Engine Ratings. Among the graduates 18 are fully sponsored by Ethiopian and 3 pilot trainees are sponsored by the government of Djibouti.

In the two years training, the group has taken 695:00 hours of class instructions and 200:00 hours of practical flight training both on single and multi-engine training aircraft. The programme is part of the recruitment drive of Ethiopian Airlines to meet the requirements of the airline's ever-expanding fleet and route network. The Ethiopian sponsored 18 pilots will soon join the airline’s work force.

Deputy Commander of Djibouti Air force, Maj. Hassen Abdilahi, 
EVP Strategic Business Units, Mr. Kinfe Kahssaye,
EVP Corporate Services, Mrs. Frehiwot Worku with the graduates

Today’s graduates will bring the total number of graduates from the Ethiopian Aviation Academy to 863, out of which 559 are Ethiopian and 304 foreigners from different countries mainly from Africa, the Middle East and a few from Asia and Europe.

About Ethiopian

Ethiopian Airlines, one of the largest and fastest growing airlines in Africa, made its maiden flight to Cairo in 1946. With the recent service additions to Riyadh and Malabo, Ethiopian provides dependable services to 34 cities in Africa and to a total of 55 destinations world wide.

In August 2008, Ethiopian won the 2008 Corporate Achievement Award of Aviation & Allied Business for setting the pace towards the development and growth of the African aviation industry.

Ethiopian is also the first African carrier to win the 2008 Brussels Airport Company Award in recognition of its distinguished long haul operations witnessed through the introduction of new routes, new products, and close cooperation with Brussels Airport in marketing activities.

Ethiopian was the winner of the 2008 Best Airline in Africa Award at the African Travel Award in Lagos, Nigeria, for its excellent network and convenient connections in Africa.

PR & Publications

For more information about this press release, please contact: 

Manager PR & Publications 
Ethiopian Airlines 
Tel: (251-1) 517-89-07 (251-1) 517-81-65 
Fax: (251-1) 661-14-74 
E-mail: publicrelations@ethiopianairlines.com