Earlier this week, Ethiopian Airlines, Africa’s largest and most successful airlines, welcomed the first of its kind in Africa Airbus -A350-1000s, from Airbus.
The acquisition of this cutting-edge passengers plane named “Ethiopia: Land of Origins” is a groundbreaking step for the flag carrier to have a competitive edge at the global aviation industry and play its leading role in connecting the African continent with the rest of the world. It is also a significant leap forward not only for Ethiopian Airlines but also a pride for the African aviation sector.
Founded on 21 December 1945 and having commenced operations on 8 April 1946, the airlines has long been a symbol of excellence and resilience in the aviation world. In its nearly eight decades of operations, the Airlines has been working diligently in expanding its destinations and winning customers’ expectations by providing customer-centered world-class passenger and cargo service. As a result, it has made a name for itself and received numerous awards and prestigious recognitions from various regional and global organizations.
Just to mention, in the year 2024 alone, the carrier has received the 2025 APEX Passenger Choice Awards for offering superior passenger experiences. It was also crowned as the winner of the ‘Best Entertainment in Africa’ and ‘Best Wi-Fi in Africa’ awards. The Airlines has also been celebrated for its contributions to the continent’s tourism and aviation sectors, including the Outstanding Tourism Transportation Award at the 2024 Africa Tourism Leadership Forum.
In fact, the Airline’s commitment and dedication to serving passengers with integrity and unrivaled services is not limited only to good times. It was also testified in times of crises.
Notably, during the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, while many global airlines disconnected their operations, Ethiopian Airlines continued to serve communities by transporting critical vaccines and personal protective equipment to over 80 countries, including several African nations.
This unparalleled commitment and resilience in turn earned the Airlines the Global Recognition and Appreciation Award at the First International Post-COVID Conference held in Toronto for its outstanding role in the COVID-19 response.
These days, Ethiopian Airlines operates a fleet of 147 aircraft serving 139 international and 22 domestic flight destinations. Its rapid expansion and consistent service excellence have earned it numerous prestigious awards and appreciations.
What is more, it is gaining a frontline in the aviation industry by expanding its destination, adopting cutting-edge technology, advancing itself forward, and continuing to provide superior customer services.
The airlines though experienced consistent success and progress, it never satisfied with its wins. Instead, it is striving to achieve the better. By devising a 15-year ambitious strategic plan, it is working to enhance its capacity and connectivity, and provide a superior travel experience for its customers.
Further, it sets a plan to build Africa’s largest airport that can accommodate up to 130 million passengers annually.
In this regard, the procurement of the A350-1000 marks a new chapter in the carrier’s longstanding vision of connecting Africa with the entire world, promoting people to people ties and culture and bolstering economic cooperation within the entire continent of Africa while increasing its competitiveness in the global aviation industry.
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD THURSDAY 7 NOVEMBER 2024
