Ethiopian Airlines marks 78 years of operation, eyes continued growth

Ethiopian Airlines, Africa’s largest airline, said Monday that it is working “with great attention” to continue its growth as it marked 78 years of operation.

   The Ethiopian flag carrier on Monday organized a special flight to Cairo, the capital of Egypt, to mark its inaugural international service in 1946. It said the flight highlighted its “legacy of resilience and innovation.”

   “From our humble beginning back in 1946, we have come to be the aviation giant in Africa that we are now, pioneering the African aviation with many first innovation introductions to Africa along the way. As we are maturing beautifully, our commitment only gets stronger,” an Ethiopian Airlines statement quoted Mesfin Tassew, the airlines’ chief executive officer, as saying.

   Ethiopian Airlines is currently implementing a 15-year strategic plan, called Vision 2035, that will see it become one of the top 20 most competitive and leading aviation groups in the world by providing safe, secured, market-driven and customer-focused passenger and cargo transport, aviation training, airport management and ground services, among others.

   As part of its strategic plan, Ethiopia’s flag carrier envisages increasing its aircraft fleet to 271 by 2035 and the number of its destinations to 207, according to the airlines.

   Ethiopian Airlines commands the largest share of the African passenger and cargo network, making it the continent’s largest air carrier. It serves over 150 domestic and international destinations across five continents.