The achievements of Ethiopian Airlines since its formation in December, 1945, are a source of pride to Ethiopians as well as to many other Africans. The airline has a modern fleet, an extensive route network, a reasonably strong balance sheet, aircraft maintenance and aviation training expertise, very dedicated staff and a priceless reputation for efficiency.
Ethiopian Airlines also makes money. In fact, it is currently more profitable than many airlines in Europe and North America. It is worth noting that while the Ethiopian carrier gradually grows stronger, its founder – the now-ailing US airline Trans World Airways (TWA) – may soon file for protection from its creditors under the US Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Code.
In this issue of AFRICAN AVIATION magazine, we begin an in-depth profile of this unique African airline, beginning with its aircraft fleet strategy. In our two-part article we intend to chart the airline’s progress and examine the challenges it faces ahead. Also, in another two-part article, N. N. Susungi, a senior official of the African Development Bank in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, examines the prospects for a Pan-African aircraft leasing company.
In addition, in this issue we return to the important subject of flight crew training. We believe that the demand for trained pilots in Africa will grow during the 1990s as the continent’s carriers gradually modernise their aircraft fleets. This requirement will pose a challenge for African airlines as most of them lack modern flight crew training facilities.
To ensure that their flight operations are safe and efficient they will need to devote an increasing portion of their already tight budgets to pilot training. The upfront cost might seem high but, as an apt slogan on an office wall at Ethiopian Airlines’ headquarters in Addis Ababa says: “If you think training is expensive – try ignorance.”