Ethiopian Review

Ethiopian Airlines has been chosen over four other major African airlines to win the “Airline of the Year 2009″ title.

Ethiopian was chosen at the African Business Awards last Monday, July 6, 2009, organized by the London based African Business and the Commonwealth Business Council (CBC). Ethiopia’s flag carrier stood first among nominees for this category based on solid financial results coupled with distinctive customer service, punctuality, innovative products and services for consumers. A press release, sent to Fortune, revealed that the 2009 judging panel of the African Businesses Awards especially lauded Ethiopian for initiation of new routes.

The nominees that competed with Ethiopian Airlines were Afriqyiah of Libya, Arik Air of Nigeria, Kenyan Airways and South African Airways; the latter won last year’s award for the “Airline of the Year” category.

Amadou Ba, president and director of AllAfrica Global Media; Jean-Louis Ekra, CEO of Afrexim Bank; Stephen Hayes, chairman of the Corporate Council on Africa; Yvonne Ike, regional director for West Africa at JP Morgan Chase International; Omari Issa, CEO of Investment Climate Facility for Africa and Tim Turner, director for the Private Sector at the African Development Bank were the panel judges.

“We rejoice in winning the award and gained the recognition of our overall excellence among other African airlines,” Yeneneh Tekleyes, director for Advertising and Promotions of the Ethiopian Airlines declared. “It motivates and encourages us to provide and deliver even more products and better services.”

Ethiopian, which made its maiden flight to Cairo, Egypt, in 1946, now travels to 34 cities in Africa and 55 destinations worldwide.

In 2008 alone, it won the Corporate Achievement Award of Aviation and Allied Business, the Brussels Airport Company Award, for its distinguished long haul operations seen through the introduction of new routes, new products and close operations with the Brussels Airport in marketing activities. At the African Travel Awards held in Lagos, Nigeria, The 2008 Best Airline in Africa Award was presented to Ethiopian for superiority in network and convenient connections.

- Addis Fortune