Despite navigating a year of regional conflicts, operational bottlenecks, and global aviation headwinds, Ethiopian Airlines has managed to extend its lead in Africa’s skies, adding new jets, new routes, and nearly two million more passengers.
The airline reported $7.6 billion in revenue for the 2024/25 fiscal year, an 8% increase from the previous period, marking another milestone in its ascent as the continent’s flagship carrier.
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Resilience in Numbers
From the heart of Addis Ababa, the carrier transported a record-breaking 19 million passengers, 15.2 million on international routes, and 3.9 million domestically. That’s up from 17.1 million passengers in the prior fiscal year. On the cargo side, Ethiopian moved 785,323 tonnes, a 4% growth despite logistics slowdowns worldwide.
“We performed better than expected, even though the year was filled with uncertainty,” said Mesfin Tasew, CEO of Ethiopian Airlines Group.
Disrupted Routes, Expanded Network
While plans to launch flights to Asmara, Port Sudan, and parts of the DRC were shelved due to security concerns, the airline managed to add six new international destinations, further deepening its already unmatched African network.
But growth wasn’t without turbulence.
“It was a year that saw many events negatively impact the aviation industry,” Mesfin noted, citing wars in Sudan, Ukraine, and the DRC, along with broader instability in the Middle East. “The U.S. government’s recent laws have also complicated global air transport services.”
On the home front, bird strikes, adverse weather, and fog-induced diversions at Bole International Airport tested the airline’s resilience. “Some aircraft were forced to land in neighboring countries due to poor visibility,” Mesfin said. He added that the airline is investing in advanced systems to handle such disruptions more efficiently in the future.
Fleet Boost Amid Global Constraints
Amid a global engine supply crunch and maintenance bottlenecks, Ethiopian Airlines still managed to introduce 13 new aircraft, 4 Boeing, 3 Airbus, and 6 from other manufacturers. Mesfin described these challenges as lingering “aftershocks of the pandemic,” though he expressed confidence that engine availability will improve in the coming year.
Africa’s Flying Giant
Ethiopian Airlines remains Africa’s largest carrier by fleet and passenger volume, and it’s showing no signs of slowing. Its success lies not just in scale, but in adaptability, balancing ambition with grounded strategy in a region where geopolitical and infrastructural challenges often collide.
With global aviation demand on the rebound and strategic investments underway, Ethiopian Airlines is charting a steady course—one eye on expansion, the other on resilience.
Sourced from Tikvah Ethiopia & Birrmetrics
