Ethiopian Airlines has launched eight flights operated entirely by women to mark International Women’s Day, highlighting the growing role of female professionals across Africa’s aviation industry.
The flights departed simultaneously from Addis Ababa on March 8 to destinations across Africa, Europe and Asia, with every operational role — from cockpit to ground handling — carried out by women.
The initiative comes at a time when Africa’s aviation sector is experiencing renewed growth, with airlines expanding routes and rebuilding capacity as international travel demand continues to rebound.
According to the airline, the programme aims to celebrate women’s achievements in aviation while encouraging more young women and girls to pursue careers in the sector.
The special services connected Ethiopia’s capital with Cairo, Djibouti, Nairobi, Frankfurt, Accra, Mumbai, Windhoek and Dire Dawa, combining both international and domestic routes.
Each flight was handled entirely by female aviation professionals, including pilots, cabin crew, aircraft technicians, engineers, dispatchers and airport operations staff
Speaking during a ceremony in Addis Ababa ahead of the flights, Ethiopian Airlines Group chief executive Mesfin Tasew said the initiative demonstrates the company’s commitment to gender inclusion across the aviation workforce.
‘These flights showcase the remarkable achievements of women in aviation and highlight the important role they play across our operations,’ Tasew said.
He added that the airline continues to invest in programmes aimed at expanding women’s participation in technical and leadership positions within the industry.
Women now account for around 40 percent of Ethiopian Airlines’ total workforce, reflecting years of recruitment and training efforts aimed at broadening gender representation in technical fields.
The airline also confirmed that the number of female pilots within its ranks has reached 95, marking a significant milestone in an industry where women remain under-represented globally.
Beyond flight operations, women at Ethiopian Airlines serve in areas such as aircraft maintenance, engineering, air traffic coordination, ground services and corporate management.
The carrier remains Africa’s largest airline group, with recent industry data showing Ethiopian Airlines continues to lead Africa’s airline rankings by passenger numbers and international network reach.
Ethiopian Airlines first launched the all-women flight programme in 2015, turning the initiative into an annual tradition marking International Women’s Day.
Passengers travelling on the flights are also served by female-led airport teams responsible for dispatch, maintenance, catering coordination and flight operations.
By showcasing women across every stage of airline operations, Ethiopian Airlines hopes to challenge long-standing stereotypes about gender roles in aviation and inspire the next generation of aviation professionals.
Founded in 1946, Ethiopian Airlines has grown into Africa’s largest airline group, serving more than 160 passenger and cargo destinations worldwide.
The carrier operates one of the continent’s most modern fleets, including Boeing 737, 777 and 787 aircraft alongside Airbus A350 jets.
As part of its global expansion strategy, the airline is also exploring new long-haul routes, including plans to launch direct flights to Australia in the coming years.
The airline’s growth ambitions are further supported by Ethiopia’s long-term aviation infrastructure plans, including a proposed $12.5bn mega-airport project that aims to transform Addis Ababa into one of the world’s largest aviation hubs.
For Ethiopian Airlines, the all-women flights represent more than a symbolic gesture — they highlight how women are increasingly shaping the future of aviation across Africa and the global airline industry.
