Ethiopian Colorfully Celebrates 40 Years of Uninterrupted Service to China

Press Release

Ethiopian Airlines, the fastest growing and most profitable African airline, has colorfully celebrated its 40 years of uninterrupted services to China at a Gala dinner on 07 November, 2013 in Beijing.

The event was graced by H.E. Mr. Ai Ping Vice-Minister of the International Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, H.E. Mr. Seyoum Mesfin, Ambassador of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia to China; Mr. Han Jun, Director General of International Affairs Department of Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC). Also present were members of the diplomatic community, representatives from Boeing, fellow Star Alliance member Air China representatives, business executives, travel partners and members of the African community in China.

During the celebrations, CEO Tewolde GebreMariam of Ethiopian highlighted Ethiopian reliable services to China, its efforts to make Addis Ababa the best gateway for Chinese travelers to Africa and Ethiopian expansion plans in China.

“We are very pleased with our long years of service to China. China has always been and still remains one of the most important destinations for Ethiopian. When we started our services back in 1973, we were the only African airline and the fourth globally to fly to China. Back then we operated the B720, the first African jet. Today we are flying with the most technologically advanced airplanes such as the B787 Dreamliners, the B777-200LRs and the B777-300ERs with 28 weekly flights to four Chinese destinations that are connected to 46 points in Africa,” said Mr. Tewolde.

Mr. Tewolde added, “Soon we will further expand our wings in China with services to Shanghai in the summer of 2014. I would like to express my gratitude to all our partners, especially Air China and the Civil Aviation Administration of China for their continued support. We look forward to many more decades of successful partnership thanks to the rise of Africa and the bright future of China-Africa ties.”

Ethiopian currently operates to 46 African and 76 international destinations across five continents using a fleet of 61 modern aircraft.

About Ethiopian

Ethiopian Airlines (Ethiopian) is the fastest growing Airline in Africa. In its operations in the past close to seven decades, Ethiopian has become one of the continent’s leading carriers, unrivalled in efficiency and operational success.

Ethiopian commands the lion share of the pan-African passenger and cargo network operating the youngest and most modern fleet to more than 76 international destinations across five continents. Ethiopian fleet includes ultra-modern and environmentally friendly aircraft such as the Boeing 787, 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 aviation group in Africa with seven business centers: Ethiopian Domestic and Regional Airline; Ethiopian International Passenger Airline; Ethiopian Cargo; Ethiopian MRO; Ethiopian Aviation Academy; Ethiopian In-flight Catering Services; and Ethiopian Ground Service. Ethiopian is a multi award winning airline registering an average growth of 25% in the past seven years.

For more information about this press release, please contact:
Manager PR & Publications
Ethiopian Airlines
Tel: (251-1) 517-84-07
publicrelations@ethiopianairlines.com