How Ethiopian Airlines Has Kept Turning a Profit for 80 Years

Ethiopian Airlines reported $9.1 billion in revenue in fiscal year 2025–26, up 20%, while carrying 20.7 million passengers and moving 897,000 metric tons of cargo. Founded in 1945 and beginning flights in 1946, the airline has reportedly turned a profit in almost every year of its history, including during the Covid-19 pandemic and the Tigray conflict. Its roughly 170-aircraft fleet serves 145 international destinations, and about 64 more aircraft are on order. The article says its growth has made it Africa’s largest airline by passengers, revenue, and fleet size, and notes that its fleet is among the continent’s youngest.