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Ethiopian Airlines revenue increases as it adds more routes and passengers.

Ethiopian Airlines revenue rose by 8% during the financial year 2024/25, thanks to an increase in passengers and new routes, although there were challenges on certain routes due conflicts, said Chief Executive Mesfin Tassew Bekele on Tuesday.

Mesfin, a spokesperson for the state-owned carrier and Africa's largest airline, said that passenger numbers increased by 11%, to 19 millions, in the year ended July 7.

Revenue increased 8% compared to a year ago, reaching $7.6 billion. However, growth has slowed down from the 15% in 2023/24.

Mesfin cited conflicts in Sudan and the Middle East, as well as the Democratic Republic of Congo, to say that "it was a great performance, despite global challenges."

He said that certain changes to the law in the United States have affected the airline's operation there.

Ethiopian operates a fleet of over 150 aircraft. It took delivery of the fourth Airbus A350-1000 on Saturday.

Bekele stated that the airline would be looking at the possibility of purchasing 20 small regional jets or narrow-body aircraft as part of its plans to replace older aircraft and expand the domestic fleet.

This airline is one of many that has had to ground aircraft because of bottlenecks at engine maintenance facilities.

Mesfin stated that the airline has added six new routes by 2024/25.

It signed an agreement last year for the design of a mega four-runway Airport near the town Bishoftu. This airport will be Africa's largest airport once construction is complete in 2029.

The airport can handle up to 100 million passengers per year, and will provide parking for over 270 aircraft. (Reporting and writing by Dawit Endeshaw, George Obulutsa, Editing by Susan Fenton).

(source: Reuters)