Ethiopian Airlines named African Airline of the Year

Monday 17th November 2014

Ethiopian Airlines, the largest and most profitable airline in
Africa, is pleased to announce that the African Airlines Association
named it the African Airline of the Year at its 46th Annual General
Assembly held in Algiers between 9 and 11 November 2014.

Ethiopian was crowned Airline of the Year for its
exceptional results in 2013, consistent profitability, and sound
strategy, which has enabled it to forge win-win partnerships with fellow
African airlines. This is the third year in a row
that Ethiopian has continued to receive the award from AFRAA.

Upon receiving the award, Ethiopian Group CEO Tewolde Gebremariam
remarked: "We are highly honored to receive this recognition from our
fellow airlines in Africa. The award goes, first and foremost, to the
more than 8,000 employees at Ethiopian, who work
very hard every day to provide the best services on the ground and in
the air to our valued customers. We also thank our customers for giving
us the opportunity to serve them and for travelling on Ethiopian in
great numbers. The award is testament to the soundness
of our Vision 2025 fast, profitable and  sustainable growth strategy."

He continues: "Although Africa is registering rapid economic and
travel growth, this growth is primarily benefiting non-African carriers.
The times are really challenging for African airlines, whose very
survival is at risk, unless two things happen very
quickly.

Firstly, African carriers must look inwards in the continent to
leverage on the available internal resources to create synergy through
collaborative partnership among themselves. Today, Africa has world
class Aviation Training Centers, MRO facilities and
management expertise. I am convinced that there are ample opportunities
for deepened commercial, technical and other types of partnerships
among African carriers.

Secondly, Africa must become one single unified market without any
restriction for African airlines. The continued fragmentation of our
skies is only benefiting foreign carriers and will lead to our certain
demise. African governments must act now and fast
to unify African skies, which would also give great impetus to the
continent's economic integration."

About Ethiopian Airlines:

Ethiopian is a global Pan-African carrier currently serving 84
international destinations across 5 continents with over 200 daily
flights using the latest technology aircraft such as the B777s and
B787s. In August 2014, it was also a recipient of the Passenger Choice awards as the Best Airline in Africa in the most extensive survey of passengers in the industry.

Established in 1945, Ethiopian is the fastest growing airline in Africa,
offering daily services aboard its ultra-modern fleet to 49 African
destinations and very short connections through its Addis Ababa hub.
Connections on the African continent include popular
holiday destinations such as Zanzibar, Mombasa, or Kilimanjaro and
schedules to growing business centres such as Lagos and Johannesburg.

http://www.flyethiopian.com/en/default.aspx