ETHIOPIAN AIRLINES NAMED AS ‘AFRICAN AIRLINE OF THE YEAR‘ FOR THE SECOND CONSECUTIVE YEAR
(Posted 01st June 2017)
Ethiopian Airlines has won the African Aviation ‘African Airline of the Year’ Award for 2017, for the second year in a row, during the 26th Annual Air Finance Africa Conference & Exhibition held in Johannesburg, South Africa.
(Mr. Meseret Bitew, Acting Chief Financial Officer, Ethiopian Airlines, while receiving the award)
The award was presented to Ethiopian in recognition of its continued rapid growth, increased profitability and its outstanding contribution to aviation development in Africa.
While receiving the Award Mr Meseret Bitew, Acting Chief Financial Officer, Ethiopian Airlines, said: ‘’.We are pleased to win the African Airline of the Year Award for the second time in a row; a testimony of our commitment to serve our beloved continent, Africa. The commendable success of Ethiopian Airlines attributes to the visionary leadership of Ethiopian management and the hard work of thousands of Ethiopian employees who work hard around the clock with unity of purpose. Mobility and air connectivity being the economic engine of growth and development, we shall continue to play vital roles in connecting African countries with their major trading partners around the world and realize an economically liberal Africa
Announcing the Award’s repeat winner did African Aviation CEO, Mr Nick Fadugba, say: ‘In the past 12 months, Ethiopian Airlines has further expanded its route network, modernized its fleet, inaugurated three new aircraft maintenance hangars, as well as a new world-class in-flight catering facility and has strengthened its airline joint ventures in Africa. In addition, Ethiopian Airlines has achieved a record financial turnover and profitability despite various industry challenges. Currently, the airline is well on track to exceed the goals of its Vision 2025 Strategy‘.
Ethiopian has also won the Airline of the Year Award, for the fifth consecutive year, by African Airlines Association (AFRAA), SkyTrax World Airline Award for Best Airline Staff in Africa, Best African Cargo Airline of the Year Award, and Passenger Choice Award for Best Airline in Africa are few to mention.
In the meantime has the airline also launched their long awaited flights between Addis Ababa and Singapore with five weekly direct and non-stop services, using the ultra-modern Boeing 787.
The flights, using a Boeing B787-800, leave Addis Ababa every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday and continue from Singapore on to Kuala Lumpur, before beginning the return journey via Singapore to Ethiopia where travelers will then have connectivity into the African and international network of the airline.
Said Group CEO of Ethiopian Airlines, Mr. Tewolde GebreMariam on the occasion: ‘In our continuous effort of connecting the continent of Africa with its major trading partner around the world through direct services and with the youngest fleet of modern airplanes, we are glad that we are able to offer a direct and non-stop services to the Lion City, Singapore, a global aviation center and a preferred gateway to Asia and Australia. Our direct and nonstop flights will serve the growing traffic between Africa and Singapore, giving the best possible connectivity options to passengers travelling between most points in Asia and Africa, in partnership with fellow Star member, Singapore Airlines. Moreover, our customers can now enjoy the ultimate travel experience on board Ethiopian Dreamliner; unparalleled comfort with less noise, biggest windows in the sky, higher ceiling, unique lighting and higher humidity. Ethiopian flights to Singapore will also greatly contribute to the strengthening of trade, investment, and tourism ties between a booming Africa and a highly developed, innovative, and business-friendly Singapore‘.
