Addis Ababa: Ethiopia, aiming to become the African aviation hub, is set to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation at the continental level, as announced by the Ministry of Transport and Logistics. The event will take place from December 9-12, 2024, under the theme ‘Safe Sky, Sustainable Future ICAO80′.
According to Ethiopian News Agency, Transport and Logistics State Minister Dhenge Boru emphasized Ethiopia’s prominent position in the African aviation industry and its aspirations for further advancement. The anniversary celebration is expected to gather global and continental experts, companies, and stakeholders in the sector. Ethiopia was one of the three African signatory countries of the Chicago Convention, and the Ethiopian Airlines Group has played a crucial role in connecting Africa with safe and reliable air transport.
The state minister highlighted that the event will significantly contribute to experience and technology exchange, accelerating Ethio
pia’s ambition to become Africa’s aviation hub. Additionally, the Ethiopian Civil Aviation Authority is working on a new vision to establish itself as the preferred and leading aviation center in Africa by 2035. The event will also feature panel discussions showcasing new technologies in the aviation industry.
Ethiopian Civil Aviation Authority Director General Getachew Mengiste shared that Ethiopia has bilateral aviation agreements with 114 countries, and Ethiopian Airlines’ global flight destinations have reached 141. The country boasts 23 airports, with four meeting up-to-date international standards. The authority has certified over 6,000 pilots and more than 8,000 technicians to date. The Ethiopian Airlines transports about 17 million passengers and 750,000 tons of cargo annually.