LAGOS, May 6, 2025 – Ethiopian Airlines has marked a significant milestone in African aviation by graduating 974 students from its prestigious Ethiopian Aviation University, during a grand ceremony held on May 3, 2025.
According to a statement released by the airline through its Nigerian media consultant, the graduates specialized in key aviation disciplines: aircraft maintenance (184), pilot training (43), cabin crew (448), commercial operations (255), and hotel operations (44). The graduating class included students from diverse African nations as well as 38 Chinese nationals, reflecting the airline’s international outreach.
Nationalities represented among the graduates include 34 Congolese, 19 Mozambicans, eight Cameroonians, two Gabonese, and one each from Zambia, South Sudan, Uganda, and Sierra Leone. A notable feature of this cohort is its strong female presence—614 of the 974 graduates are women, underscoring Ethiopian Airlines’ commitment to gender inclusion in the aviation sector.
The graduation ceremony took place at Ethiopian Aviation University’s main campus and was attended by dignitaries, including ambassadors, airline executives, graduates’ families, and other distinguished guests.
Group Chief Executive Officer of Ethiopian Airlines, Mr. Mesfin Tasew, praised the achievements of the graduates and emphasized the university’s ongoing role in shaping the continent’s aviation landscape.
“We are immensely proud to see our students graduate today, having successfully completed their training and demonstrated remarkable academic achievements,” said Tasew. “Ethiopian Aviation University will continue to be a center of aviation excellence, serving not only the continent and the region but also beyond.”
Founded nearly 70 years ago, the university has produced over 20,000 aviation professionals and continues to expand its academic offerings. Since achieving full university status in March 2023, it now offers undergraduate and graduate degrees, including BSc programs in Aeronautical Engineering, Aircraft Maintenance Engineering, and Aviation Management, along with a BA in Tourism & Hospitality Management and an MBA in Aviation Management.
The institution now operates training centers in Addis Ababa, Hawassa, and Dire Dawa, reflecting Ethiopian Airlines’ continued investment in human capital development across Africa.
The airline’s partnership with China—dating back to 1973 when it became the first African carrier to launch direct flights to China—has also been strengthened through ongoing training collaborations.
This latest graduation class symbolizes Ethiopian Airlines’ broader mission to build a self-sustaining aviation workforce in Africa while fostering international cooperation.
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