It is not often that an airline achieves two remarkable feats within a day. But so it was in late 2011 when Ethiopian Airlines was admitted into the Star Alliance family as its 28th member and third African member after South African Airways and EgyptAir. On the same day, Ethiopian was also receiving the Boeing 787 on its initial trip to Africa as the launch customer for the airplane in Africa. A year ago, ET was accepted to join the Star Alliance, thus enabling it to commence the processes necessary for its eventual entrance into the largest airline alliance group. Witnessed by the crème of international media and the top leadership of Star Alliance and its member airlines, the event was a memorable display of Ethiopian culture exhibited in elegant and resplendent white dresses worn by executives of Ethiopian airlines and their affable guests.

An elated Ethiopian CEO, Mr. Tewolde Gebremariam, says "the entrance of ET into Star Alliance is a defining moment for the airline," while noting that the entrance of Ethiopian Airlines into the Alliance will consolidate the Alliance's presence in East, West and Central Africa. He notes that ET brings immense value to Star Alliance by giving the network a foothold on Africa which he termed 'the next and perhaps the last frontier in economic development'. "It is another historical milestone for Ethiopian to join this most prestigious and longest serving Alliance in the world," says Mr. Tewolde Gebremariam. "This day will remain colourfully marked in our history book. It is in line with our efforts to lay a strong foundation for the airline to achieve its vision 2025 objectives." Part of this vision, according to the CEO, will see Ethiopian organized as a group with 7 business units, with 120 aircraft and flying to 90 destinations.

Immediate-past CEO of Star Alliance, Jaan Albretch, acknowledging the great work done by ET in meeting Star Alliance requirements within one year, says the network offers ET's customers more flights to more destinations across the Alliance's over 1290 destinations in 189 countries. "Today we have taken a large step forward in completing our Africa strategy," says Jaan Albrecht, CEO of Star Alliance." With Ethiopian Airlines now part of the Star Alliance network, we offer our customers the widest choice of flights connecting to, from and within Africa.

Moreover, Ethiopian Airlines will bring the Star Alliance customer benefits to more markets across Africa, a region of the world in which air travel is enjoying steady growth rates." The entrance of ET brings to 16 the number of Star Alliance carriers offering 750 daily flight services to over 48 countries on the continent.

CEOs of other Star Alliance members present at the ceremony included Siza Mzimela of South African Airways, Mr. Jeffery A. Smisek of United Airlines, leaders of Lufthansa and Turkish Airlines, amongst others. Acknowledging the tremendous work being done at Ethiopian Airlines, the CEO of Lufthansa says ET, one of the fastest growing airlines in the world, continues to be a model for airlines in Africa. In many ways, including profitability, manpower development, commercial and technical collaborations, ET has remained the oft-cited example of a well-run African carrier. It has several commercial agreements with airlines in Africa and other parts of the world, in particular Asia. Its investment in Asky, the regional carrier in West Africa continues to be an example in cross-border investment in Africa. Ethiopian Airlines joining of the Star Alliance also positions the Alliance as the leading carrier alliance on the African continent and provides the alliance members with another hub in Addis Ababa after Johannesburg and Cairo.

The Dreamliner was also in Addis

The celebrations at Addis Ababa also featured prominently the visit of the legendary Boeing 787 airplane to Ethiopian Airlines. A launch customer in Africa, ET holds orders for 10 of the airplanes with the first delivery expected later in the coming months. Mr. Gebremariam who bemoaned the challenges imposed on the airline by the delays in delivery of the airplane says the airplane is a game-changer and worth the waiting.