Addis Ababa, September 16, 2025 (FMC) – Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO Mesfin Tasew today announced that the airline achieved a record $7.6 billion in revenue and transported 19.1 million passengers during the 2024/25 fiscal year.
The announcement was made at the Bishoftu Mega Airport project showcase, held at the Ethiopian Skylight Hotel in the presence of government officials, financiers, investors, and industry stakeholders.
Mr. Mesfin noted that its passenger traffic has tripled over the past 10 years, reflecting sustained growth and a growing role in Africa’s aviation sector. Ethiopian Airlines now serves 144 destinations worldwide, including 66 in Africa, and operates 70 freighter destinations across five continents.
The airline also collaborates with African governments to establish air services in various countries, reinforcing its position as a Pan-African aviation leader.
Beyond air transport, Ethiopian Airlines has diversified into hospitality, education, and tourism, managing the Ethiopian Skylight Hotel, airports, and the Aviation University, which trains over 4,000 students annually.
According to the CEO, most of the airline’s human resource requirements are now met through this university, ensuring a steady supply of skilled professionals.
Reflecting on the airline’s 79-year history, Mesfin highlighted its sustained expansion in network, fleet, and infrastructure.
The airline began connecting West and East Africa in 1960, opened its first Africa–China route in 1973, and now serves over 140 international cities. Fleet modernization has been central to growth, from the DC-3, Jet H (1962), Boeing 767 (1984), Boeing 787 (2012), to the Airbus A350 (2016).
The Boeing 777X, scheduled to enter service next year, will place Ethiopian Airlines among the first operators globally.
Looking ahead, the airline aims to become one of the top 20 airlines in the world, operate 403 aircraft, transport 63.9 million passengers annually, and increase revenue to $29 billion by 2040.
Infrastructure projects like the Bishoftu Mega Airport are central to sustaining growth, ensuring enhanced connectivity within Africa and globally.
Mesfin emphasized that the airline’s performance reflects a combination of strategic vision, technological advancement, and continental impact, making Ethiopian Airlines a driver of trade, tourism, and aviation connectivity across Africa and beyond.