Ethiopian Airlines, Africa’s premier aviation leader, is marking a significant milestone: 60 years of uninterrupted service to the historic city of Rome, Italy. This achievement underscores the airline’s enduring legacy in international aviation and its vital role in connecting Africa to Europe. To honor this momentous occasion, the airline hosted a grand celebration in Rome, bringing together distinguished guests including high-ranking government officials from Ethiopia and Italy, corporate partners, and key stakeholders. Ethiopian Airlines executives were also present, emphasizing the importance of this celebration, which highlighted the airline’s steadfast commitment to its passengers over the past six decades.
The festivities showcased the critical importance of the Rome route in Ethiopian Airlines’ global network. Over the years, the Rome service has played a pivotal role in the airline’s expansion, fostering stronger ties between Africa and Europe. This achievement underscores Ethiopian Airlines’ strategic focus on delivering world-class service to its international travelers. The airline has consistently invested in modern aircraft, superior service, and connectivity, ensuring smooth and enjoyable travel experiences for its customers. The event in Rome emphasized how Ethiopian Airlines has maintained its commitment to excellence, ensuring passengers experience the best in African hospitality while traveling across the globe.
Looking towards the future, Ethiopian Airlines plans to further strengthen its presence in Europe by increasing flight frequencies and expanding its network. This strategy is central to its vision for growth and solidifying its reputation as a key player in bridging Africa and Europe, driving tourism, business, and cultural exchanges for many more decades to come. The airline, which first launched service to Italy with Rome as its inaugural destination, has since expanded its Italian network to include Milan in 2011. Ethiopian Airlines now operates daily flights to both cities, utilizing state-of-the-art aircraft designed for optimal passenger comfort.
In response to growing demand, Ethiopian Airlines plans to increase its Rome service to ten weekly flights starting December 1, 2024. This expansion will provide greater flexibility and improved connectivity for travelers between Africa and Europe. The airline continues to broaden its presence in Europe, serving over 24 destinations, and is poised for further growth with the upcoming addition of Port Sudan and Dhaka to its global network.
As one of the fastest-growing airlines globally, Ethiopian Airlines Group has established itself as Africa’s largest and most successful aviation brand. With seventy-eight years of operational excellence, the airline has earned a reputation for efficiency and innovation, securing its position as a leading carrier on the continent. Ethiopian Airlines operates the youngest and most modern fleet in Africa, flying to more than 150 domestic and international destinations across five continents. The fleet includes a range of environmentally friendly and cutting-edge aircraft such as Boeing 737s, 777s, 787s, Airbus A350-900s, and De Havilland Q400s, ensuring passengers experience both comfort and sustainability.
Ethiopian Airlines has also expanded its reach through a multi-hub strategy, establishing hubs in Lomé, Togo in partnership with ASKY Airlines, Lilongwe, Malawi with Malawi Airlines, and Lusaka, Zambia with Zambia Airways. These hubs have allowed Ethiopian Airlines to enhance its network across Africa, improving access to key destinations on the continent and beyond. Having achieved its ambitious Vision 2025 strategic plan ahead of schedule, Ethiopian Airlines is now implementing its Vision 2035 plan, which outlines a 15-year roadmap to becoming one of the top 20 most competitive and influential aviation groups worldwide.
The airline’s continued success has been recognized with numerous prestigious awards. Ethiopian Airlines has been honored with the Skytrax ‘Best Airline in Africa Award’ for seven consecutive years, a testament to its commitment to delivering outstanding service. In addition, Ethiopian has been a member of the Star Alliance network since 2011, benefiting from the global collaboration and shared resources of this leading airline group. Over the past decade, Ethiopian Airlines has registered remarkable growth, tripling its capacity and expanding its influence in both passenger and cargo markets. As Ethiopian Airlines looks toward the future, it remains focused on innovation, sustainability, and global expansion. By increasing flight frequencies, investing in modern aircraft, and continuing to develop its multi-hub strategy, the airline is well-positioned to remain a dominant force in the aviation industry. The planned expansion of the Rome route and the addition of new destinations like Port Sudan and Dhaka reflect the airline’s ongoing commitment to meeting the needs of its passengers while strengthening connections between Africa and the world.
