Ethiopian Airlines Trains Aviation Professionals from 16 Countries in Major Graduation Ceremony











ADDIS ABABA – Ethiopian Airlines, Africa’s largest and most profitable carrier, celebrated a new milestone today, graduating 1,103 aviation professionals from its world-renowned Ethiopian Aviation University. The ceremony, held in the airline’s home base of Addis Ababa, underscored the company’s strategic commitment to developing a robust and highly skilled workforce, not just for its own operations, but for the entire African continent and beyond.

The graduating class, a diverse mix of talent from Ethiopia and 16 other countries, reflects the university’s status as a regional powerhouse in aviation education. The cohort included 41 pilots, 343 aircraft maintenance technicians, 524 flight attendants, and 195 professionals specializing in ticketing and other commercial operations. The scale and breadth of the graduation ceremony illustrate the airline’s continuous investment in human capital as a core pillar of its long-term growth strategy.

In his address to the new graduates, Ethiopian Airlines Group Chairman and Commander of the Ethiopian Air Force, Lt. Gen. Yilma Merdasa, emphasized the critical role they will play in the future of the industry. “The graduates must face the challenges they will encounter in their new journey with courage and fulfill their responsibilities with a sense of patriotism,” he stated, highlighting the national and continental significance of their work.

Lt. Gen. Yilma also noted the institution’s six-decade legacy, stating that the Ethiopian Aviation University has been at the forefront of the region for the past six decades, producing a surplus of flight professionals for the global industry. This sentiment was echoed by Mesfin Tasew, Group CEO of Ethiopian Airlines, who described the day as a “special day” for the graduates as they embark on a new chapter in their lives.

Tasew pointed out that the university serves as a vital institution for Ethiopians and other African nations, reinforcing the airline’s long-standing Pan-African vision. He also stressed the importance for the institution to “maintain its competitiveness by satisfying the needs of its customers,” a nod to the market-driven approach that has defined Ethiopian Airlines’ success.

The graduation ceremony comes at a time of significant expansion for Ethiopian Airlines. The carrier is aggressively pursuing its “Vision 2035,” a strategic roadmap aimed at cementing its position as a global aviation leader. Key initiatives under this plan include the expansion of its fleet, the development of new infrastructure projects like the upcoming Bishoftu mega international airport, and the continuous enhancement of its training capabilities. The university, which has a current capacity to train around 4,000 students annually, aims to grow that number to 7,000 in the coming years.

The airline’s focus on training a diverse and international student body is a key competitive advantage. By attracting trainees from across Africa and beyond, Ethiopian Airlines is not only building its own workforce but also strengthening regional aviation networks and fostering a spirit of cross-border collaboration. This approach is consistent with the airline’s broader role in supporting the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM).

As the newly minted pilots, technicians, and crew members prepare to take to the skies, they represent more than just new employees; they are the next generation of African aviation leaders, trained to a world-class standard by a carrier that has consistently defied industry downturns and emerged as a symbol of continental pride and economic dynamism.