Ethiopian Airlines Wins African Business of the Year Award

Press Release

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – On the sidelines of the UN General Assembly Meeting, which is being conducted in New York, The African Business Award 2013 was held at the Mandarin Oriental New York on 20 September 2013, in the presence of high profile policymakers and businesspersons. Ethiopian won the African Business of the Year award. It was recognized for its exemplary role as an African business model that is effectively harnessing opportunities and making profits while as the same time registering fast growth, despite the tough economic times for the global aviation industry.

CEO of Ethiopian Airlines, Tewolde Gebremariam, said, “As a truly Pan-African business organization, we are honored and feel happy to receive this award, which recognizes our contribution to the economic development and GDP growth of our great continent. Africa is on the rise and we are growing together with the continent. With our extensive and fast expanding passenger and cargo network, which now covers five continents, and our multiple hub strategy in Africa, which is creating multiple gateways to the continent, we are serving as a critically essential vehicle for the flow of tourism and foreign direct investment into the continent.”

The African Business Awards is a platform, which celebrates excellence in African business by recognizing individuals and companies that are driving Africa’s rapidly transforming economy, and creating new economic opportunities for citizens and communities, all over the continent.

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 panAfrican passenger and cargo network operating the youngest and most modern fleet to more than 74 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.