While domestic carriers in West Africa continue to struggle with short lifespans, caused by infrastructure gaps and heavy taxation, Ethiopian Airlines (ET) has achieved a rare milestone: 80 years of uninterrupted flight operations.

As local airlines grapple with infant mortality caused by poor business planning and a volatile economic climate, the East African giant is being held up as a masterclass in institutional resilience and growth.

The airline’s journey began on April 8, 1946, when a single Douglas C-47 aircraft departed Addis Ababa for Cairo. What started as a humble venture with just five aircraft has since transformed into a global powerhouse. Today, the airline’s promise to unite the continent has manifested in a massive fleet of over 140 ultra-modern aircraft, serving a vast network of 144 international destinations.

Speaking at the 80th-anniversary celebrations at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, Firiehiwot Mekonnen, General Manager for Ethiopia Airlines in Nigeria, noted that the carrier’s longevity is rooted in its diversification into MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul), aviation training, and hospitality, a model that provides a stark contrast to the structures of many local competitors.

According to Mekonnen, what began with a single destination, Cairo, has flourished into a vast network of 144 destinations worldwide.

Speaking during the celebration of the airline’s 80th anniversary at the Departure gate of the temporary terminal, Muritala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, Mekonnen said Ethiopian Airlines Group has grown to an entire aviation ecosystem encompassing passenger and cargo services, Ground Services, MRO, Ethiopian Airports, Aviation University, In-flight Catering, and the Ethiopian Skylight Hotel.

According to her, Ethiopian Airlines is more than just an airline, it is a proud symbol of resilience, ambition, and success.

“As we like to say, we are 80 years young because our passion, our drive, and our commitment to excellence remain as strong and vibrant as they were on the day of our very first flight. While we celebrate how far we have come, we are even more inspired by how far we will go.

“This incredible journey has been made possible by the dedication and hard work of our management and entire staff of Ethiopian airlines, the enduring trust of our passengers, and the invaluable support of our partners. This achievement belongs to all of us it is truly a shared success. As we celebrate our legacy today, let us also embrace this moment as a renewed commitment to an even brighter future,” the general manager said.

She noted that Lagos, Nigeria has been an important part of the airline’s story since 1960,  marking 65 years of continuous service having begun operations just a month after Nigeria’s independence.

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“Since then, through every season through growth and challenge, through change and progress we have never stopped flying.

“That enduring connection is a testament to the strength of our partnership and the deep bond we share with the people of Nigeria. Nigeria is not just a destination in our network it is a valued partner in our journey, a place rich in culture, energy, and opportunity, and a community that has embraced us for decades,” she said.

Yinka Folami, the President, National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies, (NANTA), commended Ethiopian Airlines for its commitment to he Nigerian route.

“It has been 80 years of excellence and we congratulate them. If I would speak for the trade, I would talk about two things Ethiopia Airlines did for us. The airline stood with this market during the COVID distress.

“They also stood with us during the trapped funds era. They kept their sales in naira and kept the prices of tickets affordable to the market. We congratulated them,” Folami said.

Moses Okon Unanaowo, the Vice President, National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) part of the reasons the airline has operated seamlessly in Nigeria is because the airlines has very employee friendly.

“Ethiopian Airlines support it’s staff. We are proud to identify with the company,” Unanaowo said.

Olatokunbo Arewa, regional general manager, South West, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), commended the airline for consistently flying for 80 years and for being a great partner to FAAN.

“You have been a good partner to FAAN. The minister told you to see Nigeria as your home and if you need more slots, just ask and it will be given to you. This attest to the fact that you have been a good partner and I know that we have also been benefiting from one another. We congratulate you and wish you more success,” Arewa said.

Ifeoma Okeke-Korieocha is the Aviation Correspondent at BusinessDay Media Limited, publishers of BusinessDay Newspapers. She is also the Deputy Editor, BusinessDay Weekender Magazine, the Saturday Weekend edition of BusinessDay. She holds a BSC in Mass Communication from the prestigious University of Nigeria, Nsukka and a Masters degree in Marketing at the University of Lagos. As the lead writer on the aviation desk, Ifeoma is responsible and in charge of the three weekly aviation and travel pages in BusinessDay and BDSunday. She also overseas and edits all pages of BusinessDay Saturday Weekender. She has written various investigative, features and news stories in aviation and business related issues and has been severally nominated for award in the category of Aviation Writer of the Year by the Nigeria Media Nite-Out awards; one of the Nigeria’s most prestigious media awards ceremonies. Ifeoma is a one-time winner of the prestigious Nigeria Media Merit Award under the 'Aviation Writer of the Year' Category. She is the 2025 Eloy Award winner under the Print Media Journalist category. She has undergone several journalism trainings by various prestigious organisations. Ifeoma is also a fellow of the Female Reporters Leadership Fellowship of the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism.

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