President Taye Urges Ethiopian Airlines to Sustain Global Competitiveness

Addis Ababa, March 13, 2026 (ENA)—President Taye Atske-Selassie has called on the Ethiopian Airlines Group to intensify its efforts in maintaining its global leadership and competitive edge within the aviation industry.

The President, who also serves as the Patron of the Ethiopian Quality Award Organization, made these remarks during an official visit to the airline’s facilities and observed its extensive operational activities.

It is recalled that the Airlines was among the organizations that won the First Level Excellence Trophy in the past 12th round of the National Quality Award competition.

During the visit, senior officials briefed the president on the airline’s operations, performance and long-term strategic direction.

Speaking on the occasion, President Taye said the recognition and awards earned by Ethiopian Airlines are not merely the result of its global reputation but a reflection of its strong performance across multiple evaluation criteria.

He noted that the national carrier has played a pivotal role in Ethiopia’s economic growth and transformation, describing the airline as a pillar of the country’s development.

The president also underscored the airline’s role in connecting Ethiopia with the rest of the world and strengthening the nation’s global engagement.

According to him, the strength of Ethiopian Airlines lies not only in its operational capacity but also in its strong institutional culture and commitment to human resource development.

He added that the airline’s work culture and human capacity offer valuable lessons for other institutions.

President Taye further stressed that Ethiopian Airlines has demonstrated consistent transformation and improvement over the years and that such progress should be reinforced to maintain its position in the highly competitive global aviation sector.

“There are few organizations that can compete with Ethiopian Airlines not only in aircraft and operations but also in institutional culture,” he said.

Despite operating in a volatile region, the president expressed confidence that Ethiopian Airlines will continue to thrive and maintain its global leadership.

“The group is implementing what it has envisioned,” he said, commending the airline’s leadership for effectively executing its strategic plans and maintaining strong understanding with employees.

During the visit, Ethiopian Airlines Group Chief Executive Officer Mesfin Tasew presented the organization’s mandates, operational performance and ongoing initiatives aimed at further improving results.

The CEO also outlined the group’s sustainability strategy, which is built on four key pillars designed to ensure long term growth, operational excellence and environmental and social responsibility.

Mesfin further emphasized that the airline remains committed to preserving its legacy and maintaining the strong global reputation it has built over the years.

He added that Ethiopian Airlines continues to expand its international destinations as part of its strategy to strengthen global presence and competitiveness.