Ken Okeke
Ethiopian Airlines, has graduated 974 aviation trainees from its Aviation University.
The colorful ceremony, held on May 3, 2025, at Ethiopian Aviation University, was attended by Ambassadors, representatives from each country, the airline executives, graduates’ families and distinguished guests.
The graduates specialized in various fields, including Aircraft Maintenance (184), Pilot Training (43), Cabin Crew (448), Commercial Operations (255), and Hotel Operations (44), representing diverse African nationalities as well as Chinese nationals. Among the graduates are 38 Chinese, 34 Congolese, 19 Mozambican, 8 Cameroonian, 2 Gabonese, 1 Zambian, 1 South Sudanese, 1 Ugandan, and 1 Sierra Leonean.
Of the 974 graduates, 614 are female and 360 are male.
This milestone highlights Ethiopian Airlines’ pivotal role in shaping the future of African aviation by building skilled aviation professionals across the continent.
It also reflects the airline’s longstanding partnership with China, as the first African carrier to establish direct flights to China back in 1973, further strengthening ties through training and knowledge sharing.
Reflecting on the graduation ceremony, Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO Mr. Mesfin Tasew commented, “We are immensely proud to see our students graduate today, having successfully completed their training and demonstrated remarkable academic achievements. I am confident that you will carry this success into your future careers, leveraging the diverse resources you have gained from this esteemed university, which is equipped with cutting-edge technologies and staffed by seasoned aviation professionals.
Ethiopian Aviation University will continue to be a center of aviation excellence, serving not only the continent and the region but also beyond.” Ethiopian Aviation University has proudly graduated over 20,000 aviation professionals from Ethiopia, across the continent, and beyond over its nearly 70 years of establishment.
The university offers a wide range of programs, including certificate and diploma courses for pilots, aircraft maintenance, and cabin crew. Since achieving university status in March 2023, it has expanded its academic offerings to include undergraduate and graduate degrees such as BSc in Aeronautical Engineering, BSc in Aircraft Maintenance Engineering, BSc in Aviation Management, BA in Tourism & Hospitality Management, and MBA in Aviation Management.
Ethiopian Aviation University continues its rapid expansion, now delivering comprehensive training programs in Addis Ababa, Hawassa, and Dire Dawa. This growth highlights our unwavering dedication to shaping the next generation of aviation professionals across Ethiopia and beyond.
Currently, the university has the capacity to enroll about 4,000 students annually, and under the airline’s robust “Vision 2035,” it envisions accommodating around 7,000 students in the years ahead.