Ethiopian Airlines announced its strategic plans to expand and grow its airline significantly by 2035. In its new growth plan, the airline hopes to double its selection of destinations as well as its fleet size.
Increasing figures
Just a few weeks after the airline company renewed its agreement with Travelport International Operations Ltd, Mesfin Tasew, the airline’s CEO, announced the growth plans in an interview with their state media.
As part of its “Vision 2035” plans, Ethiopian Airlines is set to add more than 100 new aircraft to its fleet, aiming for 270 planes in around 13 years. The proposed strategy also hopes to generate $25 billion by 2015 by increasing the number of passengers from over 32.5 million to 65 million. Additionally, the airline’s expansion plans involve adding multiple destinations, bringing its route network to over 200, and increasing the volume of cargo service.
On the company’s growth plans, Tasew told the Ethiopian News Agency, “In Vision 2035, we have aimed to nearly double the number of destinations that we will be flying by increasing the number of destinations from 131 today to 207: and to cover this expansion, we have planned again to double the number of aircraft in our flight from 140 to 271.”
Ethiopian Airlines outlines 13-year growth plan | © Thomas Boon/Simple Flying
Forward thinking
Holding the current title of the largest airline in Africa, Ethiopian Airlines has proven to be as successful as it is ambitious, having already achieved its 2025 goal. After expanding services to Switzerland in October and stating its decision to resume flights to the Tigray region, it is clear that they aim to maintain this growth, consequently becoming more profitable.
Tasew has also confirmed that the airline is actively considering adding new Airbus and Embraer aircraft to its fleet. Regarding capacity, the two manufacturers would close the gap between Ethiopian’s Boeing 737 and De Havilland Dash 8-400. However, the company has yet to make a final decision on the exact expansion of its fleet but will likely decide in the next few months.
What do you think of the airline’s fleet expansion plans? Let us know in the comments!
That plan is incomplete without larger airport to hold the aircrafts needed and passengers growth.