Ethiopian Airlines marked 80 years of service on 8 April 2026. Commemorating this historic milestone, Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO Mr Mesfin Tasew officially announced the beginning of the airline’s 80th anniversary celebrations at a press conference held at the Ethiopian Skylight Hotel.
Ethiopian Airlines started its operations with five Douglas C-47 aircraft back in April 1946 with a scheduled service to Cairo via Asmara. From operating the Douglas C-47, Convair 240, and DC-6B in its early days, Ethiopian has established itself as a technology leader, pioneering on the continent with ultra-modern aircraft operations.
Commenting on the historic event, the Group CEO remarked, “This is a proud moment for Ethiopian Airlines and the entire African aviation industry. We are honoured to reach the 80-year mark serving our continent and the rest of the world. Keeping our Pan-African identity, we have bridged gaps, linked nations, and connected economies for eight decades. Our achievements are built on hard work, commitment, and partnerships. This is not a milestone just for the management and staff, it is also a remarkable moment for our stakeholders, partners, and our esteemed customers.”
Over its eight decades of operations, Ethiopian has established itself as a technology leader, introducing cutting-edge aircraft to the African continent. Ethiopian is currently the leading airline in Africa in number of aircraft, destinations served, revenue, number of passengers, and other parameters.
