Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO Mr. Tewolde GebreMariam, has been recognised as ‘Airline Executive of the Year,’ at the annual Global Aviation Awards for Excellence organised by the Centre for Aviation (CAPA) in Malta, recently.
GebreMariam won the award for his influence on the aviation industry, demonstrating outstanding strategic thinking and innovative direction for the growth of Ethiopian Airlines and the aviation industry at large.
Commenting on the accolade, GebreMariam said, “I am honored to have received the award and I sincerely thank CAPA for the recognition. We at Ethiopian have achieved greater milestones as one family. I want to dedicate this award to my colleagues: more than 16,000 brave men and women around the world who always challenge themselves to soar higher with the mind-set that every step they take can become new history and milestone in today’s 21st century aviation business.”
CAPA Chairman Emeritus, Peter Harbison in his remark said: “Tewolde GebreMariam has become a giant in African aviation over the past decades. He has guided a marginal airline into becoming a major global force, with a modern fleet and a world-class operation.”
“This past year he has been most strenuously challenged following the MAX accident, and emerges with an even stronger reputation. We are proud to present him with this award and look forward to him continuing to lead the airline to even greater heights.
“Having served Ethiopian Airlines in different capacities for decades, Mr. Tewolde took the helm of Africa’s leading flag-carrier as Group CEO in January 2011. He has received a number of prestigious accolades in the aviation industry for his outstanding leadership that propelled Ethiopian to the top of Africa’s aviation.”
“We won’t solve (child labour) just by putting in place a due diligence system. Farmer poverty, access to education and many other issues need to (be addressed). We need governments on board,” he said.
