Addis Ababa, April 8, 2024 (FBC) – Ethiopian Airlines, the biggest African carrier, has celebrated its 78th anniversary with a special flight to Cairo, Egypt.
Senior management and staff of the airline, including Group CEO Mr. Mesfin Tasew and chief commercial officer Lemma Yadecha, provided special hospitality services for customers aboard. In line with Ethiopian’s values of community engagement, passengers received Seasons Greeting Packages and Happy Fasting Messages, reflecting the airline’s respect for diverse traditions. The packages included a postcard commemorating the anniversary, serving as a tangible reminder of the airline’s enduring legacy.
The airline started its operation with five C-47 aircraft operating its debut fight to Cairo via Asmara on April 8, 1946. Ever since, it has been growing in leaps and bounds and continued to introduce cutting-edge aviation technology and systems.
In its 78 years of joining the aviation industry, the airline is said to have overcome many challenges and successfully become the largest air transport company in Africa.
As aviation technology leader, Ethiopian was a pioneer in ushering in new aviation technology into Africa, including the first jet airplane as well as the first B767, B777-200LR, B787 Dreamliner, and787-9 in the continent.
The airline also led the way in operating Africa’s first Airbus A350 XWB.
Currently, Ethiopian has a fleet of over 147 modern aircraft with an average fleet age of less than seven years, and it has also more than 100 ultramodern aircraft on order.
The airline also bought the first ultra-modern Airbus (A350-900) aircraft in Africa and put them into operation. Besides being a brand ambassador in the world and a symbol of Ethiopia’s pride, it is a source of pride and success for Africans.
Mr. Mesfin said: “This event symbolises our unwavering commitment to our passengers and our belief that true leadership lies in serving others first. Serving our passengers on this special flight to Cairo is not just a tribute to our first international service but a reaffirmation of our commitment to the ethos of servant leadership. From our humble beginning back in 1946, we’ve come to be the aviation giant in Africa that we are now, pioneering the African aviation with many first aviation innovation introductions to Africa along the way. As we are maturing beautifully, our commitment only gets stronger.”
“Our mission extends beyond transportation,’ said CCO Mr. Lemma Yadecha. ‘We strive to foster a sense of unity and belongingness among our passengers, regardless of their background or belief. This anniversary is a celebration of unity and diversity. By stepping into the roles of our dedicated ground and flight crew, we honour every individual who has been part of our story. Our service today is a promise of continued service excellence for all our passengers.”