Ethiopian Named African Airline of the Year - 14 November, 2014

Ethiopian Airlines, the largest and most profitable airline in Africa, is pleased to announce that it was named the African Airline of the Yearby the African Airlines Association at its 46th Annual General Assembly held in Algiers between 9 and 11 November 2014.

Ethiopian was crowned Airline of the Year for its exceptional results in 2013, consistent profitability, and sound strategy, which has enabled it to forge win-win partnerships with fellow sisterly African airlines. This is the third year in a raw that Ethiopian has continued to receive the award from AFRAA.

Upon receiving the award, Ethiopian Group CEO Tewolde Gebremariam remarked: We are highly honored for this recognition by fellow sisterly airlines in Africa. The award goes, first and foremost, to the more than 8,000 employees at Ethiopian, who work very hard every day to provide the best services on the ground and in the air to our valued customers. We also thank our customers for giving us the opportunity to serve them and for traveling on Ethiopian in great numbers. It is also a testimony of the soundness of our Vision 2025 fast, profitable and sustainable growth strategy.

Although Africa is registering rapid economic and travel growth, this growth is primarily benefiting non-African carriers. The times are really challenging for African airlines, whose very survival is at risk unless two things happen very quickly.

Firstly, African carriers must look inwards in the continent to leverage on the available internal resources to create synergy through collaborative partnership among themselves. Today, Africa has world class Aviation Training Centers, MRO facilities and management expertise. I am convinced that there are ample opportunities for deepened commercial, technical and other types of partnerships among African carriers.

Secondly, Africa must become one single unified market without any restriction for African airlines. The continued fragmentation of our skies is only benefiting foreign carriers and will lead to our certain demise. African governments must act now and fast to unify African skies, which would also give great impetus to the continent’s economic integration.

Ethiopian is a global Pan-African carrier currently serving 84 international destinations across 5 continents with over 200 daily flights using the latest technology aircraft such as the B777s and B787s. In August 2014, it was also a recipient of the Passenger Choice awards as the Best Airline in Africain the most extensive survey of passengers in the industry.

About Ethiopian

Ethiopian Airlines (Ethiopian) is the fastest growing and most profitable airline in Africa. In 2014, IATA ranked Ethiopian as the largest airline in Africa in revenue and profit. In its operations in the past close to seven decades, Ethiopian has been a pioneer of African aviation as an aircraft technology leader providing the first jet service in the continent in 1962, and availing the first African B767 in 1984, the first African B777-200LR in 2010 and the first African and second only to Japan B787 Dreamliner in 2012.

Ethiopian commands the lion share of the pan-African passenger and cargo network operating the youngest and most modern fleet to more than 83 international destinations across five continents. Ethiopian fleet includes ultra-modern and environmentally friendly aircraft such as the Boeing 787, Boeing 777-300ER, 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 airline group in Africa with seven strategic business units: Ethiopian International Passenger Service; Ethiopian Regional Service; Ethiopian Cargo; Ethiopian MRO; Ethiopian Aviation Academy; Ethiopian In-flight Catering Service and Ethiopian Ground Service. Ethiopian is a multi-award winning, including SKYTRAX and Passenger Choice Awards in 2013 and has been registering an average growth of 25% per annum in the past seven years.