As Ethiopia’s flag carrier, Ethiopian Airlines has cast a mould for itself as one of Africa’s foremost airlines. It has the enviable record of been one of the few airlines on the continent to have recorded profit in almost all the years it has been in existence. Again, it has achieved this feat under a wholly government owned structure. After incorporation in December 1945, the airline commenced operations on April 8, 1946 and from fairly humble beginnings, has grown to have 56 international destinations which it services. It flies to 35 destinations in Africa, 6 in Europe, 14 in Middle East and Asia, one in North America as well as 16 local destinations.
Ethiopian Airlines currently has 37 aircraft in its fleet comprising ten Boeing 767-300, eight Boeing 757-200, two Boeing 757-260F, two Boeing 747F, two MD-11F, five Boeing 737-700NG, three B737-800W and five Fokker 50. Additionally, it has 35 aircraft on order which include state of the art aircraft from Boeing, Bombardier and Airbus.
Ethiopian Airlines has garnered a number of awards in the years of its existence and these include; "
The NEPAD Transport Infrastructure Excellence Awards 2009", "Airline of the Year Award", "Airline of the Year 2009", "2008 Best Airline in Africa Award", "The 2008 Brussels Airport Company Award" as well as "The 2008 Corporate Achievement Award" all from prestigious Business Organizations.
