Ethiopian Airlines Board Chairman praises strategic partnership with AfDB for mega airport project

Addis Ababa, August 11, 2025 (FMC) – Let.-Gen. Yilma Merdasa, Chair of the Ethiopian Airlines Group Board and Commander of the Ethiopian Air Force, hailed the signing of the mandate letter with the African Development Bank as a historic milestone for Ethiopian Airlines and African aviation.

In his remarks at the event marking the financing partnership for the new Bishoftu Mega Airport, Let.-Gen. Yilma emphasized the project’s significance not only for Ethiopia but for Africa and the wider world.

Despite global aviation challenges, he said Ethiopian Airlines continues to be a source of African pride, underpinned by unwavering government support, committed leadership, and employee loyalty.

He highlighted the airline’s ongoing institutional reforms aimed at developing professional human capital, expanding infrastructure, and increasing fleet size, all part of Ethiopian Airlines’ Vision 2035 strategy to realize ambitious growth targets.

Let.-Gen. Yilma described the agreement with the African Development Bank as a key step toward bringing the airline’s expansion dreams to reality. He expressed appreciation for the Bank’s commitment to supporting this African giant project, noting that it sets a significant precedent for the continent’s aviation and economic development.

He underscored the project as a forward-looking initiative designed to enhance connectivity, build capacity, and shape a modern aviation landscape for generations to come.

The board chair expressed deep gratitude to the African Development Bank for its consistent support of sustainable development across Africa, describing the partnership as a demonstration of joint confidence in the continent’s future.

Concluding, Let.-Gen. Yilma congratulated all involved for being part of this historic occasion and reiterated the importance of this collaboration in building the foundation for Africa’s prosperity and aviation advancement.