Ethiopian Airlines Group generated USD 4.4 billion in revenue in the first half of the current fiscal year, marking a 14 percent increase from last year’s record performance, Chief Executive Officer Mesfin Tasew said on Monday.
Speaking at a media briefing held at the Ethiopian Skylight Hotel, Mesfin attributed the growth to fleet expansion and increased flight activity. The airline added seven aircraft during the six-month period, bringing its total fleet to 147, alongside a busier flight schedule.
Ethiopian logged nearly 334,000 flight hours and carried 10.64 million passengers over the period. However, Mesfin noted that ongoing global conflicts and restrictive U.S. visa policies have affected the airline’s Africa–U.S. routes.
Despite these challenges, the Group reported strong performance across several segments, particularly cargo operations. Ethiopian Airlines transported 451,000 tons of cargo, representing a 19 percent year-on-year increase, according to the CEO.
On network expansion, Mesfin said the airline launched three new international destinations, including Hanoi, Vietnam, and Porto, Portugal. Plans to open a route to Australia, he added, remain contingent on the delivery of new long-haul aircraft, expected in 2028.
The CEO also provided an update on the airline’s flagship Bishoftu International Airport project, revealing that around three dozen international contractors have submitted expressions of interest for the multi-billion-dollar development located about 40 kilometers south of Addis Ababa.
Ethiopian Airlines is currently compiling a shortlist of bidders, with bid documents scheduled for release on March 3 and contractor selection expected to be finalized within three months, Mesfin said.
The new airport, projected to cost over USD 10 billion, is designed to accommodate up to 110 million passengers annually at full capacity. The first phase, targeting 60 million passengers per year, is slated for completion by November 2029, according to airline executives.
Source: The Reporter
