By Staff Writer
(Nairobi, Kenya) — Ethiopian Airlines Group generated $9.1 billion USD in revenue during the 2025/2026 fiscal year, marking a 20 percent increase over the previous year as the state-owned carrier expanded its passenger and cargo networks.
Unveiling the annual performance report at a press briefing in Addis Ababa, Group Chief Executive Officer Mesfin Tasew announced that the airline transported 20.7 million passengers during the 12-month period—an 8 to 10 percent increase compared to the previous fiscal year.
Cargo operations also saw steady expansion. The carrier transported 897,000 metric tons of cargo, representing a 16 percent year-on-year increase and exceeding annual cargo targets.
To support its growing global reach, Ethiopian Airlines added nine commercial aircraft to its active fleet while acquiring eight pilot training aircraft to boost institutional capacity at its aviation academy.
The carrier added four new international routes during the fiscal year—bringing its total international network to 150 destinations—while expanding domestic coverage to 25 regional airports. Total passenger kilometers increased by 10 percent, reaching 99 percent of the group’s annual operational target.
Despite reaching record top-line revenue, CEO Mesfin Tasew noted that performance faced external headwinds. Operating costs rose—driven primarily by elevated global jet fuel prices—while flight cancellations were triggered by regional instability in the Middle East, U.S. travel restrictions, and flight suspensions to parts of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
However, strong operational momentum during the first nine months of the fiscal year helped absorb these external shocks and maintain overall financial stability.
On the infrastructure front, the group continued upgrading facilities at its primary hub, Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, including expansions of the domestic passenger terminal, cargo facilities, passenger lounges, and data processing infrastructure.
Addressing major infrastructure projects, Mr. Mesfin confirmed that construction on the new mega-airport in Bishoftu is progressing on schedule, with completion targeted for January 2030. Resettlement and compensation programs for residents affected by the project site have been completed. Construction on several new regional domestic airports is also advancing and expected to wrap up within the coming year.
__
Join our Telegram Channel: t.me/borkena
Like borkena on Facebook
Join the conversation. Follow us on X (formerly Twitter) @zborkena to get the latest Ethiopian news updates regularly. Subscribe to the YouTube channel. To share information or for submission, email info@borkena.com
When a business is managed and run by geniuses from top to bottom, the sky is the limit for how high you can grow. No, no, no! I did not put that in the right perspective. The sky will NOT be the limit how high you can grow! That is the right way to put it. This is really bad and depressing news for bigots and connivers among us. Jump in the lake, dimwits!!!