Ethiopian Airlines has strengthened its position as Africa’s aviation powerhouse after growing annual revenue to $9.1 billion, even as conflict in the Middle East and the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo disrupted parts of its network.
The state-owned carrier reported a 20% increase in revenue for the financial year ended 7 July 2026, underlining its resilience at a time when many global airlines continue to grapple with geopolitical tensions, rising operating costs and supply chain challenges.
Africa’s largest airline also carried 20.7 million passengers, up 10% from the previous financial year, while cargo volumes climbed 16% to 897,000 metric tonnes, reflecting continued growth in both passenger and freight demand.
Expanding while rivals struggle
The latest figures reinforce Ethiopian Airlines’ dominance in African aviation, where it has consistently outperformed many state-owned carriers through fleet expansion, an extensive international route network and a growing cargo business.
