Ethiopian Airlines records $4.4bn revenue in 6 months
Ethiopian Airlines earned 4.4 billion US dollars in the first half of the 2025/26 fiscal year, marking a 14% increase from the previous year, according to an APA News report on February 10th.
Mesfin Tasew, CEO of Ethiopian Airlines, speaking at a press event, said the airline’s revenue for the six months since July 8, 2025, was also 2% higher than its internal target.
The airline carried 10.64 million passengers on domestic and international routes during the reporting period. This was an 11% increase compared to the same period last year. In cargo operations, the carrier transported 451,000 tons of goods, exceeding its target by 4%.
According to an Africa News report, Tasew said the airline now flies to 145 international destinations. During the first half of the FY 2025-26, it launched new routes to Porto in Portugal, Hanoi in Vietnam and Abu Dhabi in the UAE.
Despite the strong results, the airline faced several challenges. Tasew said aircraft shortages, bad weather and conflicts in different parts of the world affected operations.
He added that visa restrictions introduced by the United States under President Donald Trump impacted passenger travel. Trump’s policies have limited entry and reduced visa issuance for certain travellers, especially from African countries.
“US policies have forced us to reschedule flights, which reduced the number of frequencies on some routes,” Tasew said. He also highlighted global trade tensions, including tariff disputes, which affected cargo shipments.
Domestic security issues in Ethiopia added further pressure on operations, he said. Ethiopian Airlines is one of Africa’s largest carriers and continues to expand under its long-term plan known as Vision 2035. The 15-year strategy aims to strengthen the airline’s position in passenger and cargo transport, aviation training, airport management and ground services.
Despite global uncertainty and operational pressures, Ethiopian Airlines remains focused on growth and expanding its international network.
APA News, Maghrebi
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