Ethiopian Airlines marked its one-year anniversary of flying from Manchester Airport to Addis Ababa on 12^th December. The airline celebrated the milestone by hosting a special celebration at Manchester Airport’s Terminal 2 check-in for passengers and guests before the anniversary flight departed at 18.05. There were also celebrations at the departure gate providing traditional Ethiopian hospitality and commemorative gifts for passengers.

Manchester is the airline’s second UK destination providing a four-times-a-week service connecting the north of England to over 60 destinations across Africa.

The Ethiopian route unlocked a huge number of African destinations for passengers from Manchester, via its Addis Ababa hub, including Kenya, Zanzibar and Seychelles. In the last year, the airline has carried over 17,500 passengers and flown close to 1.5 million miles between Manchester and Addis Ababa.

Ethiopian Airlines, UK Country Manager Michael Yohannes said: “We are proud to celebrate one year of service from Manchester. In addition to our operation from London Heathrow the four times a week Manchester service makes Africa even more accessible for both business and leisure passengers from the north of the country. Passengers have been enjoying the comfort of our Boeing 787 Dreamliner’s and the convenient onward connections from Addis Ababa to the rest of the continent.”

Tim Bettney, Ethiopian Airlines’ Traffic and Sales manager for Manchester added, “The first year of operation has been very successful. Addis Ababa has not surprisingly been our top destination with onward routes to Zimbabwe, Cape Town and Malawi proving very popular. Our Cargo service has performed well carrying 222 tonnes of goods between our continents. Our Ethiopian service and hospitality have provided passengers with close to 35,000 meals and 30,000 cups of our famous Ethiopian Coffee.”

Ethiopian flies to more destinations in Africa than any other carrier and has been operating the ultramodern Boeing 787 Dreamliner on the route to Addis.

…Ethiopian Airlines CEO named ‘Airline Executive Of The Year’

Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO Mr Tewolde GebreMariam was recognised as ‘Airline Executive of the Year’ at the annual Global Aviation Awards for Excellence organised by Centre for Aviation (CAPA) in Malta on 5^th December.

Mr GebreMariam won the title for his commendable individual influence on the aviation industry, demonstrating outstanding strategic thinking and innovative direction for the growth of Ethiopian Airlines and the aviation industry at large.

CAPA Chairman, Emeritus Peter Harbison said, “Tewolde GebreMariam has become a giant in African aviation over the past decades. He has guided a marginal airline into becoming a major global force, with a modern fleet and a world-class operation. This past year he has been most strenuously challenged following the MAX accident and emerges with an even stronger reputation. We are proud to present him with this award and look forward to him continuing to lead the airline to even greater heights.”

Having served Ethiopian Airlines in different capacities for decades, Mr Tewolde took the helm of Africa’s leading flag-carrier as Group CEO in January 2011. He has received a number of prestigious accolades propelling Ethiopian to the top of Africa’s aviation.