Ethiopian Airlines profit skyrockets as East African carriers fortunes dwindle

An Ethiopian Airlines aircraft. FILE PHOTO | NMG

Ethiopian Airlines, the leading African flag carrier, on Wednesday reported a surge in profit for the last financial year, in sharp contrast to the ailing fortunes of other airlines in the region.

The state-owned airline saw a 79 percent jump in revenue to $5 billion for 12 months to July while profit skyrocketed 90 percent to $937 million, according to the country's sovereign wealth fund Ethiopian Investment Holdings (EIH).