There is no doubt that Ethiopian Airlines is one of the biggest carriers in Africa in fleet size, destinations, staff strength and others.
The airline is spearheading the development of African Aviation in many areas, including the facilitation and the growth of tourism within the continent by acting as a major catalyst engineering growth of Africa’s tourism industry.
Ethiopian is working to take over Africa’s skies and change air travel on the continent through the acquisition of stakes in other airlines, partnerships and management of other carriers within the continent.
The airlines has all going for it in terms of sound management, planning, right equipment, quality training for staff, commitment to the growth of African aviation market. among others.
It has demonstrated that a government owned airline can be run professionally and profitably by experienced management and staff.
The airline is justifying its position as one of the leading carrier in Africa with its giant strides in aviation, opening up the continent and connecting it to the rest of the world.
The number of its employees stands at 13,942 as at October 31, 2017
Ethiopian Airlines which is 100 percent owned by the government was founded in December 21, 1945 and started operation on April 08, 1946 with head office at Bole International Airport Addis Ababa,
It boasts of an Academy called Ethiopian Aviation Academy (EAA) which is the largest and the most modern aviation academy in Africa recognised as ICAO regional training centre of excellence for the training of aviation professionals from classrooms to simulator training.
EAA offers industry standard training for pilots, aircraft technicians, cabin attendants and ground services staff both for initial and recurrent students. It also has the Leadership & Career Development Centre which is training thousands in Management and Leadership Skills.
The cabin crew training simulates real-time scenarios with training aircraft designed for emergency drills and service training.
The pilot training school uses light aircraft for its basic training and simulators.
Ethiopian operates full light simulators of all fleets which are available for pilot training. Virtual Maintenance Trainers (VMTs) and various workshops feature in its aircraft maintenance training. Beyond these, the academy develops standard training packages including e-learning and virtual classroom training.
Trainee services include a trainees’ cafeteria, dormitories, an administration complex and a plush new auditorium. The academy plans to take in 4,000 students a year in its basic training programs.
Commitment to the Nigerian market
The airline has demonstrated its commitment to the Nigerian Market, standing by the country in difficult times even when other airlines abandoned the country.
During the temporary closure of Abuja Airport for reconstruction, the airline was the first foreign carrier to land at Kaduna Airport, allowing the passengers to experience ultimate comfort on-board its B-787 Dreamliner and the first Airline to resume flights to Abuja.
In Nigeria, Ethiopian fly to Abuja, Lagos, Enugu, Kano and Kaduna.
Ethiopian Airlines maiden flight to Nigeria dates back to the 1960’s; same time the country got independence from Britain
The airline brought Africa’s first all female flight to Nigeria to reward Nigerian passengers for their loyalty.
According to the Airlines general manager in Nigeria , Firihewot Mekonnen, “Nigeria is not just our great partner but also a country that has shown Africa what Women can do”.
The Ethiopian Airlines also brought Africa’s newest A- 350 aircraft to the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos in 2016.
Maintenance Repair and Overhaul, MRO
The scale of the MRO operation at Ethiopian is breathtaking. It is the largest MRO service in Africa and serves Africa and the Middle East. The facility is fully equipped with Hangars, Engine and Component Maintenance workshops with all equipment needed to repair/ overhaul aircraft, engines and components.
The MRO service was established in 1957 and it currently employs over 2,800 employees.
Ethiopian MRO provides Line Maintenance services at stations where Ethiopian flies and extends the services to other operators at some of the stations.
The facility is fully certified by the ETCAA, FAA and EASA.
Ethiopian MRO offers world-class services to its customers and helps make Ethiopian one of the most dependable and safest airlines in the world.
According to Esayas WoldeMariam Hailu, the managing director International services of Ethiopian Airlines: “Maintenance Repair Overhaul, (MRO) is very important because aviation without MRO is incomplete as aircraft need to be maintained. It has A-checks, the C-checks and the more deep ones. If we depend on others to maintain our aircraft, the charges will be high, then it is not going to be sustainable. So, we need to be very careful about being self-sustaining when it comes to maintenance. Safety is important and the maintenance needs to be regarded as important. That is why Ethiopian airlines have maintained its own MRO where it maintains all aircraft not only for itself but for Golf carriers and African carriers”.
Ethiopian airline is a complete aviation group. It is not just an airline. It has its own maintenance, cargo, its own domestic network, its own international network, its own catering and its own ground handling.
Esayas explained further that: “We cater for all airlines operating to Ethiopia and we ground handle all airlines in Ethiopia. Ethiopian airline chose to do all these ourselves because we are an aviation group. We supply these services for ourselves and for others including the trainings. Unless you have trained aviation personnel who are able to maintain the aircraft and able to fly the aircraft, then you have to depend on foreign skills and that will be very expensive”.
Sound management
There is no doubt that Ethiopian Airlines is one of the biggest carriers in Africa in fleet size, destinations, staff strength and others.
The airline is spearheading the development of African Aviation in many areas, including the facilitation and the growth oftourism within the continent by acting as a major catalyst engineering growth of Africa’s tourism industry.
Ethiopian is working to take over Africa’s skies and change air travel on the continent through the acquisition of stakes in other airlines, partnerships and management of other carriers within the continent.
The airlines has all going for it in terms of sound management, planning, right equipment, quality training for staff, commitment to the growth of African aviation market. among others.
It has demonstrated that a government owned airline can be run professionally and profitably by experienced management and staff.
The airline is justifying its position as one of the leading carrier in Africa with its giant strides in aviation, opening up the continent and connecting it to the rest of the world.
The number of its employees stands at 13,942 as at October 31, 2017 .
Ethiopian Airlines which is 100 percent owned by the government was founded in December 21, 1945 and started operation on April 08, 1946 with head office at Bole International Airport Addis Ababa,
It boasts of an Academy called Ethiopian Aviation Academy (EAA) which is the largest and the most modern aviation academy in Africa recognised as ICAO regional training centre of excellence for the training of aviation professionals from classrooms to simulator training.
EAA offers industry standard training for pilots, aircraft technicians, cabin attendants and ground services staff both for initial and recurrent students.
It also has the Leadership & Career Development Centre which is training thousands in Management and Leadership Skills.
The cabin crew training simulates real-time scenarios with training aircraft designed for emergency drills and service training.
The pilot training school uses light aircraft for its basic training and simulators.
Ethiopian operates full light simulators of all fleets which are available for pilot training. Virtual Maintenance Trainers (VMTs) and various workshops feature in its aircraft maintenance training. Beyond these, the academy develops standard training packages including e-learning and virtual classroom training.
Trainee services include a trainees’ cafeteria, dormitories, an administration complex and a plush new auditorium. The academy plans to take in 4,000 students a year in its basic training programs.
Commitment to the Nigerian market
The airline has demonstrated its commitment to the Nigerian Market, standing by the country in difficult times even when other airlines abandoned the country.
During the temporary closure of Abuja Airport for reconstruction, the airline was the first foreign carrier to land at Kaduna Airport, allowing the passengers to experience ultimate comfort on-board its B-787 Dreamliner and the first Airline to resume flights to Abuja.
In Nigeria, Ethiopian fly to Abuja, Lagos, Enugu, Kano and Kaduna.
Ethiopian Airlines maiden flight to Nigeria dates back to the 1960’s; same time the country got independence from Britain.
The airline brought Africa’s first all female flight to Nigeria to reward Nigerian passengers for their loyalty.
According to the Airlines general manager in Nigeria , Firihewot Mekonnen, “Nigeria is not just our great partner but also a country that has shown Africa what Women can do”.
The Ethiopian Airlines also brought Africa’s newest A- 350 aircraft to the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos in 2016.
Maintenance Repair and Overhaul, MRO
The scale of the MRO operation at Ethiopian is breathtaking. It is the largest MRO service in Africa and serves Africa and the Middle East. The facility is fully equipped with Hangars, Engine and Component Maintenance workshops with all equipment needed to repair/ overhaul aircraft, engines and components.
The MRO service was established in 1957 and it currently employs over 2,800 employees.
Ethiopian MRO provides Line Maintenance services at stations where Ethiopian flies and extends the services to other operators at some of the stations.
The facility is fully certified by the ETCAA, FAA and EASA.
Ethiopian MRO offers world-class services to its customers and helps make Ethiopian one of the most dependable and safest airlines in the world.
According to Esayas WoldeMariam Hailu, the managing director International services of Ethiopian Airlines: “Maintenance Repair Overhaul, (MRO) is very important because aviation without MRO is incomplete as aircraft need to be maintained. It has A-checks, the C-checks and the more deep ones. If we depend on others to maintain our aircraft, the charges will be high, then it is not going to be sustainable. So, we need to be very careful about being self-sustaining when it comes to maintenance. Safety is important and the maintenance needs to be regarded as important. That is why Ethiopian airlines have maintained its own MRO where it maintains all aircraft not only for itself but for Golf carriers and African carriers”.
Ethiopian airline is a complete aviation group. It is not just an airline. It has its own maintenance, cargo, its own domestic network, its own international network, its own catering and its own ground handling.
Esayas explained further that: “We cater for all airlines operating to Ethiopia and we ground handle all airlines in Ethiopia. Ethiopian airline chose to do all these ourselves because we are an aviation group. We supply these services for ourselves and for others including the trainings. Unless you have trained aviation personnel who are able to maintain the aircraft and able to fly the aircraft, then you have to depend on foreign skills and that will be very expensive”.
Sound management
Ethiopia Airlines Is run by a sound management team led by the Group Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Tewolde GebreMariam.
Tewolde GebreMariam began his career at Ethiopian Airlines in 1985. He served in different capacities in the cargo traffic handling department and progressed up the ladder to manager cargo traffic handling.
He was appointed as regional director for India and South East Asia based in Bombay and later on transferred to Jeddah as area manager for Saudi Arabia. When Ethiopian Airlines commenced direct services to the USA, he was appointed as area sales manager for North East USA and Canada based in New York.
On August 16 2004, he was appointed as executive officer marketing & sales to head the marketing and sales operations of Ethiopian.
On July 1, 2006, he was appointed as chief operating officer of Ethiopian to head all the operating divisions of the airline commercial, flight operations, customer services and maintenance and engineering. Since January 1, 2011 he has been serving as CEO of Ethiopian Airlines.
In his CEO role, Mr. Tewolde has been a multiple award winner.
He earned his B.A. Degree in Economics from the Addis Ababa University in Ethiopia and his Masters Degree in Business Administration from the Open University in the United Kingdom.
Esayas WoldeMariam Hailu is the managing director International services of Ethiopian Airlines.
Esayas is a man with vast knowledge of the Aviation industry.
As MD of International services, Esayas heads and directs the development and coordination of sales, services and operations of all international flights and field office of the airline group activities, objectives, policies, procedures, plans and programmes
He joined the airline in 1991 and has served the airline for 23 years in different senior management positions including manager revenue management and central reservations control, expert flight performance and yield analysis, area manager Greece & the Balkans, country manager Nigeria, director for Germany and Central Europe and vice president Ethiopian Cargo, senior vice president global sales, chief commercial officer, and MD Ethiopian International Services, the position he holds since October 01, 2013.
He is a holder of Master’s Degree in Business Administration MBA from The Open University in UK, and BSc. Degree in Mathematics from Addis Ababa University.
The airline is propelled by the existence of uniquely dedicated and highly committed work force led by experienced and seasoned executive management and board of Directors.
Highly skilled and dedicated employees, including a dedicated and skilled workforce highly perused for employment even by the airline’s competitors.
Cargo
Ethiopian Cargo and Logistics services is the largest cargo network operator in Africa.
Currently with their dedicated six – Boeing 777-200LRF and two- Boeing 757-260 freighters, the airline serve 44 cargo destinations in Africa, the Gulf, the Middle East, Asia, Europe and North Americas with an average daily uplift of over 650 tons on top of the belly hold capacity with a daily uplift of over 200 tons. With this, it has achieved the highest aircraft daily utilization of over 17 hours on its B777FS.
Ethiopia is perfectly situated in the centre of the emerging economies contributing its part to the growth trade and tourism partnership between countries as well as between continents.
Ethiopian has inaugurated a state-of-the-art cargo terminal II, which upgrades the cargo handling capacity close to a million tons per annum together with the existing cargo terminal I. When the 600,000 tons capacity phase II of the cargo expansion completes, Ethiopian Cargo and Logistics services will have an over all annual capacity of over 1.5 million tons. By Revising its vision 2025, Ethiopian Cargo and Logistics services is now planning to serve 57 freighter dedicated destinations using 18 jet cargo aircraft.
Esayas maintained that “Africa exports a lot to the rest of the world. If we talk of fresh fruits from Nigeria for example, if there is a stable supply, we are ready to carry it to the Middle East, India, China and Europe. By way of imports, Africa imports a lot of technological devices like mobile telephones, computer parts, and automotive parts amongst others. So, we are trying to attract a lot of foreign direct investments like LG and Samsung to have their regional logistic hub in Ethiopia because geography allows them to come directly here and from here, because we have the largest African network with more than 55 destinations in the continent, cargo as well as food freight. With this, we want to distribute to the rest of Africa and also to take Africa produce and broadcast them to other continents”.
“That way, Africa will be an importer and exporter. The trade balance will be okay. With this, Ethiopian airlines want to play its role as the new spirit of Africa. It wants to take Africa produce to the rest of humanity. For that, we need to have 800,000tonnes of cargo capacity per annum with valuable storage. That is the reason why we built the facility”.
Ethiopian Catering
The airline has state of the art and very hygienic catering facilities.
A tour of the facilities in Addis speaks volumes about the vision of the airline as the leading carrier in Africa.
The new catering facilities expansion built with an investment of US$15 million was inaugurated on October 29, 2016.
Ethiopian In-Flight catering facility has a capacity to produce 100,000 meals a day, up from the current 36,000. The facilities are modern and fully equipped to deal with such a high demand.
The Airline maintained that good food is important to their discerning customers. Ethiopian In-Flight Catering is dedicated to delivering high quality service and part of that is delivering high quality food. The new menus give customers the choice of local Injera, a vegan option, and a variety of world cuisines, from Chinese and Indian to Italian.
Ethiopian is truly spearheading the development of African Aviation by acting as a major catalyst engineering growth of Africa’s tourism industry.
Source: nigerianfranknewsng.com
