Ethiopian Airlines Celebrates 457 Aviation Graduates, Including 58 Pilots

Over 450 aviation experts, including 58 pilots, have successfully graduated from Ethiopian Aviation University, which is owned by Ethiopian Airlines.

On January 17, 2026, Ethiopian Airlines announced that 457 aviation professionals from 12 different countries gathered to celebrate their accomplishments and embark on the next chapter of their careers.

During the graduation event, 58 pilots, 115 aircraft maintenance technicians, and 284 cabin crew members were honored by Mesfin Tasew, the CEO of Ethiopian Airlines Group.

The graduates hailed from a diverse range of countries, including Ethiopia, Cameroon, Chad, Gabon, Italy, Madagascar, Malawi, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, Uganda, and Yemen.

“Ethiopian Aviation University has been instrumental in Ethiopian Airlines’ success for decades, nurturing the skilled professionals essential to our operations. By training aviation experts from around the globe, we proudly share our expertise and support the advancement of the international aviation industry,” commented Tasew.

Ethiopian Aviation University graduates 457 aviation professionals from 12 countries. The graduates comprised of 58 pilots, 115 aircraft maintenance technicians, and 284 cabin crew. The graduation ceremony was held at the university campus, attended by Ethiopian Airlines Group… pic.twitter.com/9vcDvPD0ow

— Ethiopian Airlines (@flyethiopian) January 17, 2026

He further stated, “These graduates represent the future leaders of our industry, and we take pride in shaping the aviation landscape through the world-class professionals we train.”

Ethiopian Aviation University has continuously evolved its educational offerings, providing an array of higher education programs, including both short-term and medium-term training, as well as undergraduate and graduate degrees.

As noted by Ethiopian Airlines, Ethiopian Aviation University stands as the largest aviation center of excellence in Africa and is recognized by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) as a Regional Training Center of Excellence.

What do you think about the growth of aviation training programs in Africa?