ADDIS ABABA, Feb 10 – Ethiopian Airlines has reported a strong financial performance for the first half of its financial year, with revenue rising 14% compared with the same period last year, supported by network growth and fleet expansion.
The state-owned carrier generated $4.4 billion in revenue in the six months from July 8, according to Chief Executive Mesfin Tasew, who spoke at a press briefing on Tuesday. The improvement reflects the launch of new destinations, increased flight frequencies, and the delivery of seven additional aircraft during the period.
Ethiopian Airlines currently operates a fleet of roughly 150 aircraft, reinforcing its position as Africa’s largest commercial airline by capacity and reach. Demand for long-haul travel continues to rise, prompting the airline last month to place an order with Boeing for nine additional 787 Dreamliner jets.
Beyond fleet growth, the airline is also investing heavily in infrastructure. Construction has officially begun on a new $12.5 billion airport, which government officials say is expected to become the largest aviation hub in Africa when it is completed in 2030.
The results underline Ethiopian Airlines’ strategy of scaling capacity and infrastructure to capture growing passenger demand across Africa and on intercontinental routes.
