w w w . e t h i o p i a n a i r l i n e s . c o m
Ethiopian Airlines
w w w . e t h i o p i a n a i r l i n e s . c o m
Excell Rewarding
www.essentialbusinessmag.com
2
Aviation
lence
J
uly was a particularly busy month for Ethiopian Airlines, with the carrier receiving a number of prizes at the industry-leading SKYTRAX awards, including “Best Airline in Africa”, “Best Business class in Africa 2018”, and “Best Economy Class in Africa 2018”. The national flag carrier also topped all of its rivals among SKYTRAX’s World’s Top 100 Airlines 2018 list, moving up from number forty-eight last year to forty, maintaining its leading position for a second year in a row.
Ethiopian Airlines (or “Ethiopian” as it is commonly known) was recently named the “Best Airline in Africa” by SKYTRAX. spoke to GCEO Tewolde GebreMariam about some of the factors behind the company’s remarkable success.
The awards suggest there is something special about Ethiopian. But what is it that sets it apart from its competitors? GCEO Tewolde GebreMariam offers some insight:
“Another hugely important milestone for Ethiopian was the restarting of flights between Addis Ababa and Asmara, Eritrea
“Ethiopian always gives prime attention to offering a premium customer service, and always strives to meet and exceed customers’ expectations. We have also reached these milestones due to the continued efforts of all our employees.” Of course, it is easy to make claims along these lines, and most airlines will succeed in matching them. However, when they’re backed up by a string of awards determined by the votes of passengers, they become impossible to ignore.
3
www.essentialbusinessmag.com
With its CTA, CONGO AIRWAYS is currently exploiting the SOUTH AFRICAN sky, and will soon be flying to DOUALA, COTONOU and LUANDA
The pleasure of flying... info@congoairways.com - www.congoairways.com
We are happy to announce that our company, Congo Airways, is now certiďŹ ed IOSA (IATA operational Safety Audit). This is a big accomplishment for such a young company, especially being that passenger safety and security, is the heart of our business. This gives Congo Airways, a prominent place in the international aviation elite world. The membership opens doors for, Congo Airways, primarily allowing commercial agreements with other airlines.
CERTIFIEE IOSA
IATA Operational Safety Audit
CONTACT AGENCIES FUTUR TOWER +243 82 97 81 921 AEROPORT N'DJILIO +243 82 97 81 922
Congoairways/Facebook info@congoairways.com www.congoairways.com
E t h i o p i a n
Vision 2025
Ethiopian is investing heavily in its Vision 2025 plan, which is geared towards its overall goal of become Africa’s premier aviation group. The company is making a huge investment in human capital, increasing the number of its employees to sixteen thousand and offering leadership and capacity building training for staff, in addition to producing aviation professionals at its aviation academy.
“The national flag carrier also topped all of its rivals among SKYTRAX’s World’s Top 100 Airlines 2018 list, moving up from number forty-eight last year to forty In terms of infrastructure, the airline has state-of-the-art aviation academy, cargo, catering and MRO facilities. Its expansion works on the Addis Ababa Airport terminal and Ethiopian Skylight Hotel project are both nearing completion. Its recent success suggests sure progress towards its already ambitious goals. In fact, the airline has already surpassed the targets laid out in its Vision 2025 plan, to the extent that it has had to revise them and set its bar even higher.
www.essentialbusinessmag.com
6
Intra-African cooperation
Ethiopian’s expansion plans have involved a number of intraAfrican relationships (including with Malawi Airlines, Togo-based Asky Airlines, and the potential acquisition of a stake in Nigeria Air). GebreMariam told how Ethiopian feels about the importance of these relationships: “The ever booming economy of Africa has resulted in the soaring demand for air travel. This growing appetite for air travel and the uneven competition from foreign carriers, which currently dominate the African market, cannot expect a win-win using one single African airline. For indigenous African airlines to succeed and get their fare share of the market, partnerships between African airlines are a must.”
A i r l i n e s
Another hugely important milestone for Ethiopian was the restarting of flights between Addis Ababa and Asmara, Eritrea. GebreMariam describes what it was like for Ethiopian to play a key role in reuniting families and furthering cooperation between the two nations: “The re-launch of this flight was so significant for the airline that a representative of the Ethiopian Group was among the delegation led by our former Prime Minister on board the first flight from Addis to Asmara. “The immense impact of the flight was evident in the outpouring of emotions from reunited families, and the very warm reception of the Eritrean government and people at Asmara airport.”
Aviation
Ethiopian defines itself as first and foremost a pan-African airline, bringing Africa together while also closer to the rest of the world. GebreMariam notes that Ethiopian has been serving Africa in good and bad times for close to seven decades. Its positive spirit is not just good for business, but also good for African growth as a whole.
Cargo Terminal II
In 2017 Ethiopian inaugurated Cargo Terminal II, the largest air cargo terminal on the continent.
GebreMariam told us how, one year on, this has added to the airline’s capabilities: “The terminal is helping to expedite the overall shipment process. Built under the framework of Vision 2025, the new Cargo terminal will help create a fully-fledged profit center for multiple destinations.” The new terminal is helping to achieve this due to its extensive array of facilities. These include a
“Ethiopian will remain “at the forefront of Africa’s commercial aviation industry by operating the most advanced airplanes, maintaining technological leadership with the latest fleet that the technology has to offer
Follow us: @flyethiopian @Ethiopianairlines fly.ethiopian Ethiopian Airlines Ethiopian Airlines Ethiopian Airlines
dry cargo terminal warehouse, a perishable cargo terminal fitted with different climate chambers and cool chain storage, a fully automated warehouse with the latest Elevating Transfer Vehicle (ETV) technology, office buildings, as well as all the facilities necessary for keeping a large number of employees comfortable while on site.
An expanding fleet
Despite recently taking delivery of a landmark 100th aircraft, Ethiopian already has clearly defined plans towards growing its fleet. GebreMariam sees fleet acquisition as “an affirmation of Ethiopian’s pioneering role in African aviation and the successful implementation of our fast, profitable and sustainable growth plan”. GebreMariam promises that Ethiopian will remain “at the forefront of Africa’s commercial aviation industry by operating the most advanced airplanes, maintaining technological leadership with the latest fleet that the technology has to offer”. The fact that Ethiopian cleaned up among African airlines in an international awards campaign voted for by passengers is itself remarkable. But perhaps even more so is its continuing ambition, met with intelligent planning and tangible results, to reach the very top.
7
www.essentialbusinessmag.com
S h a r e
Great companies have great tales to tell. With an established global reach, our editorial is read by senior executives, buyers, manufactures and other leading industry professionals. If you’d like to share your strory and bring your business closer to the people that matter, please contact us today. @EssentialBizMag
Essential Business Publishing Ltd
@EssentialBusinessAfrica
Essential Business Magazine
y o u r
w w w.e s s e nt i a l bu s i ne s s m a g.co m
Customer Service: +251 116 656 666 (International Charges Apply)
www.ethiopianairlines.com
www.essentialbusinessmag.com ŠEssential Business Magazine 2018