Women Taking to the Skies ✈️

Addis Ababa, March 8, 2026 (ENA)—

Before dawn at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, the terminal hums with the quiet rhythm of early departures.

 Pilots review flight plans, technicians complete final checks, and cabin crew greet passengers with calm confidence. But today, something feels different.  Every role, from the cockpit to the control tower is being carried out by women.

To mark International Women’s Day, Ethiopian Airlines, Africa's leading carrier, has launched eight special flights operated entirely by women, celebrating their growing leadership and impact across the aviation industry.

For many passengers, the moment becomes clear when the captain’s voice comes over the intercom. It is a woman’s voice, steady, professional, and proud welcoming travelers aboard a flight that represents more than just a journey from one city to another.

The landmark flights are staffed exclusively by female pilots, cabin crew, technicians, and air traffic professionals. From Addis Ababa, they depart to destinations across Africa, Europe, and Asia, along with a domestic route to Dire Dawa.

Aircraft operated by the all-female teams are flying to Cairo, Djibouti, Nairobi, Frankfurt, Accra, Mumbai, Windhoek, and Dire Dawa, a network of routes symbolizing the strength, professionalism, and progress of Ethiopian women in aviation.

For the airline, the initiative has become a meaningful tradition.

This year marks the tenth consecutive year that Ethiopian Airlines has organized all-female operated flights for International Women’s Day. Over the past decade, the event has grown from a symbolic gesture into a powerful statement about opportunity and representation in a field historically dominated by men.

Speaking at a ceremony attended by government officials, ambassadors, and invited guests, Ethiopian Airlines Group Chief Executive Officer Mesfin Tasew said the initiative aims to showcase women’s participation across aviation professions, including pilots, aircraft technicians, engineers, and cabin crew.

The CEO noted that women currently make up around 40 percent of the airline’s workforce and hold about 35 percent of leadership positions.

He added that the number of female pilots has reached 95 and continues to grow.

He emphasized that diversity is a strategic strength for the airline and that employees are evaluated based on skills and performance rather than gender.

As part of the celebration, the airline is operating special flights staffed entirely by women to destinations including Cairo, Nairobi, and Frankfurt.

UN Women Country Representative Jennet Kem commended Ethiopian Airlines for promoting women’s leadership in an industry traditionally dominated by men.

She said the initiative goes beyond symbolism and demonstrates what institutions can achieve when they create opportunities for women to realize their full potential.

The country representative also noted that the global theme for International Women’s Day 2026 focuses on “Rights, Justice and Action for All Women and Girls,” calling on governments and institutions to strengthen women’s rights and remove barriers to equality.

Ergoge Tesfaye, Minister of Women and Social Affairs, praised the airline for setting an example for the aviation industry.

“The all-women flights are an inspiring initiative that breaks stereotypes and demonstrates the limitless potential of women in fields traditionally dominated by men,” she said.

According to the minister, the ministry has launched a nationwide campaign marking 15 years of Ethiopian women’s voices for equality and a prosperous country, emphasizing the importance of continued efforts to advance gender equality.

She called on both the public and private sectors to strengthen their roles in empowering women and creating opportunities for women and girls.

“Gender equality requires collective action from governments, institutions, and society,” the minister underscored.

Behind the scenes, the preparation involves dozens of women working together, engineers ensuring aircraft safety, dispatchers planning routes, and air traffic professionals guiding flights through busy skies. Each role reflects years of training, discipline, and determination.

For young girls watching from airport terminals or following the flights online, the message is clear: aviation is no longer a distant dream reserved for a few. It is a path that is opening wider with each passing year.

As one of the aircraft lifts off from Addis Ababa, its ascent carries more than passengers and cargo. It carries a message of possibility.

When women are given the chance to lead, innovate, and fly, the horizon expands for everyone.

And for the next generation of aspiring pilots, engineers, and aviation professionals, the sight of these flights crossing continents sends a powerful reminder: the sky is not the limit. It is just the beginning.