Chicago Joins Ethiopian Airlines Global Network

Ethiopian Airlines, the largest Aviation Group in Africa and SKYTRAX certified Four Star Global Airline, is
pleased to announce that has it started services to Chicago as of June 10, 2018.

The inaugural flight to Chicago was announced at a colorful ceremony held at the VIP Salon of Addis Ababa
Bole International Airport in the presence of Ambassador of the United States to Ethiopia, H.E. Mr. Michael
Raynor, members of the Diplomatic Corps, Ethiopian Executive Management members and invited guests

“Chicago will be our 4th destination in the U.S. and our 7th in the Americas. It is the third biggest city in the U.S. and one of the most important global aviation hubs. We will be filling a critical air connectivity vacuum as our flights will be the only direct service between Chicago and Africa.

Chicago is the main hub of our Star Alliance partner, United Airlines and the flight will be operated together with
United to avail the best product for travelers from all over the U.S. connecting to 58 destinations in Africa. The flight will further boost the growing economic and people-to-people relations between the U.S. and Africa in general and Ethiopia in particular by enabling greater flow of trade, investment and tourism “, commented Group CEO of Ethiopian Airlines, Mr. Tewolde GebreMariam.

Speaking at the inaugural event, H.E. Mr. Michael Raynor, Ambassador of the United States to Ethiopia, on
his part said, “Day by day we are witnessing new successes at Ethiopian Airlines. Two days back, we celebrated the
100th aircraft milestone of Ethiopian Airlines and today we are inaugurating flights to Chicago. I congratulate Mr
Tewolde GebreMariam and the entire Ethiopian Airlines team on the successes. The US Government and the American Embassy in Addis Ababa will continue to support the growth of the airline.”

Ethiopian has deployed one of its Boeing 787 aircraft on the route. Chicago is Ethiopian fourth destination in
the U.S. and the seventh in the Americas.

About Ethiopian
Ethiopian Airlines (Ethiopian) is the fastest growing Airline in Africa. In its seventy plus years of operation, Ethiopian has become one of the continent’s leading carriers, unrivalled in efficiency and operational success.

Ethiopian commands the lion’s share of the pan-African passenger and cargo network operating the youngest and most modern fleet to more than 110 international passenger and cargo destinations across five continents. Ethiopian fleet includes ultra-modern and environmentally friendly aircraft such as Airbus A350, Boeing 787-8, Boeing 787-9, Boeing 777-300ER, Boeing 777-200LR, Boeing 777-200 Freighter, Bombardier Q-400 double cabin with an average fleet age of five years. In fact, Ethiopian is the first airline in Africa to own and operate these aircraft.

Ethiopian is currently implementing a 15-year strategic plan called Vision 2025 that will see it become the leading aviation group in Africa with eight business centers: Ethiopian Regional Services; Ethiopian International Services; Ethiopian Cargo & Logistics Services; Ethiopian MRO Services; Ethiopian Aviation Academy; Ethiopian In-flight Catering; Ethiopian Ground Services and Ethiopian Airports Services. Ethiopian is a multi-award winning airline registering an average growth of 25% in the past seven years.

Source: Ethiopian Airlines