Business leader praises Ethiopian Airlines for global recognition

ADDIS ABABA – Fairfax Africa Chairman Zemedeneh Negatu has commended Ethiopian Airlines for winning the Skytrax 2025 Best Airline in Africa award for the eight consecutive year.

Ethiopian Airlines received the prestigious accolade during the 2025 World Airline Awards ceremony held on June 17 at the Paris Air Show at Le Bourget Airport. The annual event celebrates excellence in service, innovation, and customer satisfaction across the global aviation industry.

Zemedeneh noted that 22.3 million people worldwide from 100 nationalities voted the ‘Best Airlines in the World 2025.“Ethiopian Airlines voted best ‘Airline in Africa’ for the 8th year-in-a-row! Congratulations to everyone at Ethiopian Airlines. As always we are very proud of you,”he wrote on X social media.

The businessperson also expressed appreciation to the airline’s customers for their loyalty and praised the dedicated workforce behind the airline’s continued success.

In addition to the regional title, Ethiopian Airlines earned several other accolades, including:Best Airline in Africa, Best Economy Class in Africa, Best Business Class in Africa, and Best Business Class Onboard Catering in Africa.

These honors highlight Ethiopian Airlines’ steadfast commitment to quality service, continuous innovation, and sustainable practices. The awardalso reflects the trust and loyalty of the airlines’ customers across the world, according to Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO MesfinTasew.

“We are truly honored to be recognized once again as the Best Airline in Africa by SKYTRAX. These achievements are a testament to the hard work, dedication, and passion of the entire Ethiopian Airlines family. We remain committed to exceeding expectations through world-class service and connectivity that bridges Africa with the rest of the world,” he expressed.

As Africa’s leading carrier, Ethiopian Airlines continues to be a critical player in the development of the continent’s air transport sector. With a modern fleet, expanding route network, and focus on digital innovation and sustainability, the airline is setting new global standards, he mentioned.

Ethiopian Airlines has also demonstrated strong financial performance, generating 7 billion USD in revenue in FY 2023/24 and aiming for 8 billion USD by the end of the current fiscal year. In his recent interview with BBC News, Focus on Africa, Mesfin stated that the airline has already met its 2025 goals for fleet size and destination coverage, currently serving over 160 domestic and international passenger and cargo destinations across five continents.

To accommodate its growing traffic, Ethiopian Airlines has been upgrading airport infrastructure. Addis Ababa Bole International Airport has reached its maximum capacity of 25 million passengers per year. In response, the airline is planning the construction of a new airport in Bishoftu, near Addis Ababa, with a projected ultimate capacity of 110 million passengers annually. Phase one of the airport, with a capacity of 60 million, is expected to be completed by 2029, according to the CEO.

Ethiopian Airlines has consistently earned industry recognition, including Skytrax’s “Best Airline in Africa” for seven consecutive years, APEX’s “Best Overall in Africa,” and the “Leadership in Connecting Africa through Transport” award.The airline is implementing its ambitious Vision 2035 strategy, aiming to become one of the world’s top 20 most competitive and leading aviation groups.

BY STAFF REPORTER

THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SATURDAY 21 JUNE 2025

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