As global aviation evolves, Ethiopian Airlines is not just keeping pace—it is positioning itself to lead, and the Airlines Group has just unveiled its much-awaited Vision 2040 in a move that experts in the field say will make the national carrier a global aviation powerhouse.

Having coincided with the airlines’ 80th anniversary of its maiden flight, the vision rollout reflects a bold move towards solidifying Ethiopian Airlines’ position as a premier aviation group in Africa

It envisions to transform Africa’s leading airline into one of the world’s most competitive aviation groups.

CEO Mesfin Tassew outlined a roadmap that signals scale, speed, and global ambition. Ethiopian Airlines will expand its international network from 145 to 203 destinations, significantly strengthening its worldwide connectivity.

To support this growth, the airline will increase its fleet from around 150 modern aircraft today to at least 250, positioning itself among the major global carriers in capacity and reach.

Passenger growth is at the heart of the vision. The airline aims to triple annual traffic—from 20 million to 60 million passengers by 2040—driving projected revenues of up to $30 billion per year.

But the ambition goes beyond aircraft and destinations.

Recognizing that infrastructure must match growth, Ethiopian Airlines is investing in the future with a new, state-of-the-art airport in Bishoftu. Designed to handle 60 million passengers annually, the facility will address the limitations of the current Addis Ababa Bole International Airport and serve as a major continental hub.

The expansion also extends within Ethiopia. In partnership with the government, domestic destinations will double from 23 to 47, improving national connectivity and unlocking economic opportunities across regions.

Mesfin meanwhile paid tribute to the generations of employees who he said helped build the airline over the past 80 years. He reaffirmed that Ethiopian Airlines will continue to play a central role in Ethiopia’s economic growth and social progress, maintaining its reputation as an uncontested source of national pride.