At 80, Ethiopian Airlines mirrors Africa’s aviation ambitions

An Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 787 aircraft.

Photo credit: Shutterstock

Africa’s largest carrier, Ethiopian Airlines, this week marked 80 years of operations, offering a case study in institutional resilience and long-term strategy in an industry often defined by volatility.

Global celebrations, including those at outstations, were flagged off on April 8 at a ceremony held at the Ethiopian Skylight Hotel in Addis Ababa, presided over by the airline’s chief executive Mesfin Tasew alongside government dignitaries.