Ethiopian Airlines is not only Africa’s largest carrier, but also a true leader in innovation and the introduction of new technology on the continent. With many subsidiaries and academic and technical wings, the former CEO referred to the airline as “the Lufthansa Group of Africa.”
Apart from its main carrier, the Ethiopian Airlines Group has a dedicated cargo wing, Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility, catering department, flight training center, and university, and stakes in a few airlines on the African continent. However, it was not always the dominant force it is today, with a lot of its growth coming in the 2010s. As the airline celebrates 78 years since its first commercial service, let us reflect on five milestones it has achieved throughout its lifetime.
Ethiopian Airlines held a special ceremony on December 13, 2011, at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport (ADD) to commemorate its official entry into Star Alliance, the world’s largest airline alliance. This marked one of the airline’s biggest milestones in the 2010s, helping it take a significant leap forward in completing its Africa strategy.
It became the third African airline to join the alliance. Star Alliance membership allowed the airline to offer customers access to more destinations and enhanced travel options to, from, and within Africa. At the time, the alliance had 16 members flying to Africa, offering up to 750 daily flights to over 110 destinations in 48 countries. Ethiopian Airlines CEO Tewolde Gebremariam celebrated the development, saying,
“It is another historical milestone for Ethiopian to join this most prestigious and longest-serving Alliance in the world. This day will remain colorfully marked in our history books.”
Today, the alliance has 26 members, covering over 50 global hubs. The alliance’s network extends to over 1,200 airports worldwide through its connecting and intermodal partners. Ethiopian Airlines, Egyptair, and South African Airways remain the only three African carriers in the alliance.
The airline continues to invest in its cargo division.
|
Aircraft |
Delivered |
On order |
|---|---|---|
|
A350-900 |
20 |
11 |
|
A350-1000 |
None |
4 |
On June 29, 2016, Ethiopian Airlines took delivery of its first Airbus A350-900, becoming the first A350 XWB operator in Africa. At the time, the carrier had a firm order of 14 A350s, with 12 directly ordered from Airbus and two on lease from AerCap. Africa’s first A350 has registration ET-ATQ. It remains part of Ethiopian Airlines’ fleet, with a total of 29,691 flight hours as of January 2024.
Photo: Vidit Luthra | Shutterstock
The airline received its 20th A350 from Airbus on April 28, 2023. The delivery flight used a 30% blend of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), making it the carrier’s first SAF-powered flight and marking another milestone. About a year earlier, ET had become the first A350-1000 customer in Africa.
Four of the type are on order, with the first delivery expected in Q32024. Last year, the airline selected the AVANT Up inflight entertainment solution for its upcoming A350-1000 aircraft. Thales’ AVANT Up features new PTIQ 4k QLED HDR displays, two Bluetooth connections, and built-in WiFi for passengers to pair multiple devices.
|
Total fleet: |
137 |
|
Widebodies: |
72 |
|
Narrowbodies: |
65 |
On June 5, 2018, Ethiopian Airlines celebrated the delivery of its 100th aircraft, a brand-new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner. It became the first African carrier to operate a fleet of 100 aircraft, highlighting its pioneering spirit in aviation technology and strengthening its dominance in the African air transport sector.
Photo: Wirestock Creators | Shutterstock
At the time, the 100-strong fleet had an average age of less than five years, making it one of the youngest and most modern of that size in the world. Fleet modernization and expansion were among the four key pillars of its Vision 2025 strategic roadmap, with which it aims to become the most competitive and sustainable aviation group in Africa.
The airline achieved its Vision 2025 goals well ahead of time. It is now implementing Vision 2035. Under the new roadmap, it plans to have a fleet of about 271 aircraft, carry up to 65 million passengers and 3 million tonnes of cargo, and generate as much as $25 billion in revenue.
Last June, the Addis Ababa-based carrier celebrated 25 years since its service to the United States began. The service started in June 1998 with transatlantic flights to Washington, DC. Today, the carrier serves five US destinations in the US:
Photo: Philip Pilosian | Shutterstock
It added Atlanta as its fifth US destination in May 2023. Ethiopian Airlines’ relationship with the US dates back to 1945 when the carrier commenced operations. The airline started through a partnership with Trans World Airlines (TWA). Since then, it has established strong relationships with American companies like Boeing and GE Aerospace. Its US service has played a crucial role in facilitating trade and business, promoting tourism, and strengthening bilateral socio-economic ties between the US and Africa.
About two months earlier, the carrier had celebrated 50 years of flights to the UK. The first UK-bound flight was operated in April 1973 with a Boeing 720-B, serving London Heathrow (LHR) via Cairo, Rome, and Frankfurt. The aircraft featured an economy and first class cabin.
These places are targeted for passenger flights.
|
Firm orders: |
8 |
|
Options: |
12 |
The Boeing 777X is undoubtedly one of the most anticipated aircraft of the decade. Although initially expected to enter service in 2020, the program has faced several delays, with the aircraft now expected to debut in 2025. Despite the setbacks, it has attracted major customers worldwide, including Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Africa’s largest airline.
Photo: Boeing
On March 5, 2024, Ethiopian Airlines signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Boeing for up to 20 B777-9 aircraft. The agreement includes the purchase of eight 777-9s and options of up to 12 more. The carrier became Africa’s first 777X customer, building on its landmark order for 11 B787 Dreamliners and 20 B737 MAXs in 2023.
The widebody will support Ethiopian’s plans to grow and renew its fleet size in terms of range and passenger and cargo capacity. This will enable it to expand and better serve high-demand markets in Africa, Asia, Europe, and North America. The order is also part of its Vision 2035 roadmap.
What do you think about Ethiopian Airlines’ progress over the years? Please let us know in the comments!
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