Speaking to journalists in Addis Ababa, Group Chief Executive Officer Mesfin Tasew said the performance marked a 14 percent increase compared with the same period last year and exceeded internal projections.
“In terms of revenue, we generated 4.4 billion U.S. dollars during the first half of the current fiscal year. The revenue is 2 percent higher than the plan and showed a 14 percent growth compared to the revenue earned during the same period last year,” Tasew said.
Cargo operations also remained robust, with 451,000 tonnes transported in six months, reinforcing Addis Ababa’s growing status as a continental logistics hub.
However, Tasew acknowledged mounting operational pressures. Aircraft shortages, adverse weather conditions, geopolitical conflicts, and broader global uncertainty have all weighed on the industry.
He also pointed to the impact of United States visa policies under President Donald Trump, which have restricted entry and limited visa issuance for certain travellers, particularly from Africa.
“U.S. policies have forced us to reschedule flights, which reduced the number of frequencies on some routes,” he said, adding that domestic security challenges have also affected operations.
