Ethiopian Graduates over 1500 Aviation Professionals from Seven African Countries
ADDIS ABABA – Ethiopian Aviation University has today graduated more than 1,550 aviation professionals drawn from Seven African countries.
The graduates are from Pilot Training, Aviation Maintenance, Commercial, Cabin Crew Schools, and Hotel Operation.
“Today the industry welcomes 660 male and 891 female graduates,” Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO Mesfin Tasew said in his congratulatory remarks in a ceremony held at the premises of the university.
According to the group CEO, human capital development is one of the key pillars in Ethiopian Airlines’ growth strategic plan, named called Vision 2035.
“Today’s graduation is a testimony of our commitment to ensure that we invest a lot in our” vision, the CEO said.
The University is a member of the Ethiopian Airlines Group which includes business units including Ethiopian Airports, Ethiopian MRO Services, Ethiopian Inflight Services, and Skylight Hotel, employing more than 17,000 people in total.
The aviation Group upgraded its aviation academy to a university level this year – a move its officials said would contribute to the rapidly growing aviation sector in the country as well as the African continent at large.
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“As part of our continental commitment, we will continue to provide Africa with skilled aviation professionals,” Mesfin said.
The event saw trainees from Rwanda, Togo, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania, Uganda, and Sudan graduate in various aviation fields.
“We are delighted to see today youths from seven African countries completing one chapter and opening another in their aviation endeavor,” Mesfin said.
“We believe in the potential of Africa’s youths to shape the continent’s aviation and continue to educate them at our center of excellence.”
The institution was established a decade after Ethiopian became the first African airline to reach the skies with a debut flight to Cairo on April 8, 1946.
It has since produced more than 1600 aviation professionals from all over Africa while playing a critical role in filling a critical shortage of skilled aviation professionals for the national flag carrier.
This year, it has transitioned into a University offering degree programs in Aeronautical Engineering, Aircraft Maintenance Engineering, Aviation Management, Tourism, and Hospitality Management, as well as MBA in Aviation Management.
The group concluded the 2022/23 Ethiopian fiscal year on a strong note. The airline saw its annual revenue grow by 20% to $6.1 billion while transporting 13.7 million passengers – a 55% year-on-year growth.
