Africa’s largest airline racks up $4.5 billion revenue in 6 months as passenger and cargo volumes climb

Ethiopian Airlines, Africa’s largest and most profitable carrier, has reported $4.4 billion in revenue for the first six months of its 2025 to 2026 financial year, equivalent to roughly $4.5 billion in 2026 dollars when adjusted for inflation.

• Ethiopian Airlines has posted $4.5bn in half-year revenue, marking a 14 percent year-on-year increase.
• The carrier transported 10.64 million passengers and 451,000 tonnes of cargo within six months.
• Aircraft shortages, geopolitical tensions, and US visa restrictions weighed on operations.
• Despite global headwinds, the airline is pressing ahead with its long-term Vision 2035 expansion strategy.

Speaking to journalists in Addis Ababa, Group Chief Executive Officer Mesfin Tasew said the performance marked a 14 percent increase compared with the same period last year and exceeded internal projections.

“In terms of revenue, we generated 4.4 billion U.S. dollars during the first half of the current fiscal year. The revenue is 2 percent higher than the plan and showed a 14 percent growth compared to the revenue earned during the same period last year,” Tasew said.

The airline carried 10.64 million passengers across its domestic and international network during the reporting period, underscoring its position as a key connector between Africa and the rest of the world.

Cargo operations also remained robust, with 451,000 tonnes transported in six months, reinforcing Addis Ababa’s growing status as a continental logistics hub.

Ethiopian Airlines now serves 145 international destinations, including three newly launched routes, as it continues to expand its global footprint.

However, Tasew acknowledged mounting operational pressures. Aircraft shortages, adverse weather conditions, geopolitical conflicts, and broader global uncertainty have all weighed on the industry.

He also pointed to the impact of United States visa policies under President Donald Trump, which have restricted entry and limited visa issuance for certain travellers, particularly from Africa.

“U.S. policies have forced us to reschedule flights, which reduced the number of frequencies on some routes,” he said, adding that domestic security challenges have also affected operations.

Despite these headwinds, the carrier remains focused on its long-term Vision 2035 strategy, a 15-year roadmap to transform Ethiopian Airlines into one of the world’s leading aviation groups across passenger services, cargo, training, airport management, and ground handling.