Ethiopian Airlines has grown rapidly over the past decade to become the largest airline in Africa. But conflicts in their own country could slow down the road to success.
The airline has seen massive growth. Ten years ago, the Ethiopian Airlines fleet consisted of around 40 aircraft. Today there are 125. The state airline is now the largest airline in all of Africa. Not only in terms of fleet size, but also in terms of passenger numbers and turnover.
In 2010, the Boeing 757, 767 and Fokker 50 were the pillars of the fleet. There is not much left of these types of aircraft at Ethiopian. The Fokker 50s have been replaced by the brand new De Havilland Canada Dash 8-400. Numerous Boeing 737s were added on the short and medium-haul routes, more recently also 737 Max, while the 757 was completely phased out. Most impressive, however, is the development of Ethiopian’s long-haul fleet.
Ethiopian always at the forefront
Ten years ago, the airline from the country in the Horn of Africa started a transformation also on long-haul routes. In November 2010 it took delivery of its first Boeing 777, the ultra-long-haul version 777-200 LR. Since then, 19 more Triple Seven have followed – half passenger aircraft, the other half freighters.
In 2012, Ethiopian became the third airline in the world to take delivery of a Boeing 787. The Dreamliner was brand new at the time. A few years later, the first Airbus aircraft was added. Ethiopian was once again a first customer in Africa – this time for the A350-900.
Africa’s top dog
The state-owned company is not only growing rapidly, but has also been profitable so far – an exception in African aviation. The growth went so far that in early 2020, shortly before the pandemic, Ethiopian Airlines announced the construction of a new major airport because the current capital’s airport is no longer sufficient. But the expansion course could now come to an abrupt end.
On the one hand, the company was not spared the global corona crisis. Another problem is only just building up: the rapidly deteriorating security situation in the homeland of Ethiopia. Experts warn that the violent conflict that broke out in early November in the Tigray region in the north of the country could lead to civil war.
Warning of overflights in Ethiopia
The aviation safety network Ops Group has already issued an urgent warning for the airspace over Ethiopia and the neighboring country of Eritrea to the north of Tigray. It warns airlines and advises against using certain flight routes that come close to the conflict region. “There are many warning lights that indicate previous shooting incidents,” it says.
Ops Group also criticizes a lack of communication from official sources about the rioting against pilots and airlines. “So far, aviation authorities or official sources have not issued guidelines or warnings in the normal way.”
Future in danger
A long-term conflict would have serious consequences for Ethiopia as a hub for Ethiopian Airlines. The airline handles a large number of transfer passengers via its home airport Addis Ababa. They are passengers that she could easily lose if the country slides into a deeper crisis. Because even if Ethiopian is unique on its own continent, hubs like Dubai are available as alternatives.
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