PHOTOS: ETHIOPIAN AIRLINES AT 80: “Uganda Central to Our Journey Since 1967” - ET Manager Fisseha

Ethiopian Airlines has marked its 80th anniversary with a high-profile celebration in Kampala, reaffirming its long-standing partnership with Uganda and unveiling ambitious plans for the future of African aviation.

Speaking at the event, the airline’s Uganda Area Manager, Ms Bethlehem Fisseha, hailed the milestone as both a celebration of legacy and a renewed commitment to innovation, sustainability, and customer experience.

Ethiopian Airlines Uganda Area Manager, Bethlehem Fisseha

She credited the airline’s success to the dedication of its staff, the loyalty of passengers, and strong partnerships built over decades.

“Ethiopian Airlines remains committed to delivering exceptional service as the aviation industry evolves,” she said, noting that Uganda has been part of the airline’s journey since 1967.

A water salute at Entebbe International Airport ushered in the celebrations on Wednesday

The celebration also drew remarks from Robel Admassu, Head of Political Affairs at the Ethiopian Embassy in Kampala, who praised the airline’s resilience and continental role. He highlighted its critical intervention during the COVID-19 pandemic, when Ethiopian Airlines played a frontline role in transporting medical supplies across Africa at a time when global travel had largely shut down.

Admassu also pointed to Ethiopia’s growing aviation ambitions, including the ongoing expansion of Addis Ababa Bole International Airport and plans for a new $12.5 billion mega-airport in Bishoftu, expected to handle up to 110 million passengers annually.

Mr Robel Admassu, Head of Political Affairs at the Ethiopian Embassy in Kampala

He further commended the infrastructure transformation efforts led by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, positioning Addis Ababa as a rising continental hub and the diplomatic seat of the African Union.

On the Ugandan side, Brig. Gen. Mike Kisame, representing the Director General of the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority, applauded Ethiopian Airlines for its sustained presence and impact.

He noted that the airline has now operated in Uganda for nearly six decades, describing it as “a key pillar of connectivity in Africa” and a major driver of tourism and trade.

Brig. Gen. Mike Kisame, representing the Director General of the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority, applauded Ethiopian Airlines for its sustained presence and impact.

Kisame also highlighted the airline’s rapid growth in Uganda, revealing that flight frequencies have expanded significantly in recent years, now reaching up to four daily flights between Entebbe and Addis Ababa.

He reaffirmed Uganda’s commitment to strengthening aviation partnerships, pointing to ongoing infrastructure projects such as the development of Kabalega International Airport in Hoima, which is expected to further boost regional connectivity.

The event, held at Entebbe International Airport, brought together diplomats, aviation stakeholders, airline partners, and media, underscoring the strategic importance of Ethiopian Airlines in linking Africa to global markets.

As the airline celebrates eight decades of operation, speakers emphasized that its journey reflects not just corporate success, but a broader African story of resilience, integration, and ambition.