Ethiopian Airlines appoints new board chairman

Jun 13, 2023 - 11:24

Ethiopian Airlines chairman Girma Wake has been replaced with the commander of the country’s air force Lt-Gen Yilma Merdasa. FILE PHOTO | REUTERS

ADDIS ABABA, June 12 (Xinhua) --

Ethiopia's national air carrier, Ethiopian Airlines, announced on Monday that Yilma Merdassa, current head of Ethiopian Air Force, has been appointed as its new board chairman.

In a press statement, Ethiopian Airlines said Merdassa has been appointed by the Ethiopian government as its new board chairman effective from last Thursday.

Merdassa replaces Girma Wake, who had served as Ethiopian Airlines' board chairman since March 2022.

Wake, who has more than three decades' experience in Ethiopian Airlines, previously served as its chief executive officer in 2004-2011.

The Ethiopian Airlines statement said the new board chairman is expected to continue to implement the company's Vision 2035.

Founded in 1946, Ethiopian Airlines is the largest African carrier, with more than 130 international passenger and cargo destinations across five continents.

It plans to increase its number of international destinations to 207 and expand its aircraft fleet to 271, from the current 140, by the year 2035.