By DAVID MUGABE, East African Business Week
KAMPALA, UGANDA-Ethiopian Airlines has been awarded “Corporate Achievement Award’ for its excellence in the airline industry through promotion of airline infrastructure and capacity development.
This award was recently given to Ethiopian Airlines in recognition of its outstanding contributions to the development of the airline industry in Africa by Aviation & Allied Business Publication, South Africa.
The award was handed over to Ethiopian by Mr. Jeff Radebe, the South African minister of transport in Johannesburg, South Africa on August 26, 2008.
“The award is a testimony of Ethiopian Airlines’ commendable and profitable operations over the years despite serious challenges that have adversely affected many large and small airlines globally,” said Mr. Busera Awel, vice president commercial of Ethiopian Airlines.
The corporate achievement award recognizes Ethiopian Airlines’ initiatives and commitment to air transport infrastructure development in Africa.
In one of its capacity building drives, the airline recently commissioned a B737NG simulator to boost employee capacity building in the aviation industry in Africa at a critical period when shortages of core aviation personnel on new-generation aircraft is creating apprehension in the airline industry.
Its maintenance facility has also provided leverage for airlines in Africa in the face of high operating costs. Simulators are training facilities for pilots.
Since its inception on December 5, 1945, Ethiopian has steadily grown to become a reputable African airline with an unparalleled coverage of Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Europe and America.
Today it is operating the largest network in the African continent with extended services both in passengers and cargo.
The airline currently serves 30 destinations in Africa.
The addition of service to Kuwait effective July 02, 2008 has brought the total number of Ethiopian’s international destinations to 50.
Ethiopian Airlines leads in fleet modernisation with the remarkable order of 10 Boeing 787 Dreamliners and it will be the first carrier to operate the 787 Dreamliner in Africa, the Middle East and Europe.