Former South African President Mbeki Tours Ethiopian Facilities
News Release –Ethiopian Airlines
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, February 20, 2014 – Ethiopia Airlines received a courtesy visit from former South African President, H.E Mr. Thabo Mbeki, a loyal and esteemed customer of the airline, on February 19, 2014 at its headquarters in Addis Ababa.
H.E. President Thabo Mbeki visited Ethiopian Aviation Academy, which is certified by the Ethiopian Civil Aviation Authority as well as the United States Federal Aviation Administration and the European Aviation Safety Agency, and provides pilot, technician, cabin crew, marketing, finance and leadership training not just for Ethiopian but for the continent. Ethiopian Aviation Academy is the premier African aviation training institution availing international standard aviation training to the continent. Per its Vision 2025 strategic roadmap, Ethiopian invested 55 million US $ in last 3 years alone on the Academy, which has now an annual intake capacity of 1,000 students.
The former President also toured the maintenance facility of the airline, which provides aircraft maintenance support to numerous airlines across the continent and beyond on the Boeing family and Bombardier aircraft.
The former President praised the work being done by Ethiopian, an African institution that is contributing its part in bringing the continent together and serving as a vehicle for its renaissance.
“We are highly honored to welcome H.E. President Mbeki, a very good customer of Ethiopian, at our headquarters in Addis Ababa.
We share his great Pan-Africanist vision, and are doing our part in the realization of the African Union’s vision of a peaceful, integrated and prosperous Africaâ€, said CEO Tewolde Gebremariam.
Ethiopian is a global Pan-African carrier serving 79 international destinations across 5 continents with over 200 daily flights and using the latest technology aircraft such as the B777s and B787s.
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 78 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 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
