ET_STAR-9th edition

ET STAR

Celebrating 75 Years of Excellence

March 2021

ET-Star

2

ET-Star

Editorial Board Members

• Mr. Wassihun Asres • Mrs. Kidist Maru

• Dr. Saba Fikru • Mr. Daniel Shiferaw

• Mrs. Zebiba Miftah • Mrs.Yamrot Nigussie

• Mr. Wondwosen Marou • Mr. Eyoubeleyou Admassu

• Mr. Sami Muctar • Mr. Henok Sirak

• Mrs. Getenesh Balcha

Article Contributors

• Mr. Tesfahun Leta

• Mr. Fasil Admassu

• Mr. Tadesse Tilahun

Editor-In-Chief

• Mr. Wondwossen Getaneh

Ass.Editor-In-Chief

• Mrs. Fiker Woudu

Editors

• Ms. Kidist Getahun

• Mrs. Halib Gashaw

• Mr. Eskinder Alemayehu

• Mr. Tesfahun Leta

Layout Designer

• Mr. Abebe Arega
• Ms. Kidist Getahun

Promotion & Distribution

• Mr. Tadesse Tilahun
• Ms. Amen Zerihun

Address

Group Employee Engagement and Change
Management office
Email ;- [email protected]
Telephone –251115178225/8725/4397

Organized and presented to you by Group Employee Engagement and

Change Management office

3

ET-Star

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

ET STAR HAS CONTACTED THE GROUP CEO OF ETHIOPIAN AIRLINES, MR. TEWOLDE
GEBRE MARIAM TO DISCUSS HIS JOURNEY AT ETHIOPIAN AIRLINES AND THE
CONTRIBUTION THAT HE HAS MET SO FAR FOR THE AIRLINE. ENJOY YOUR READING!

Tell us about your journey myself and all of my colleagues top 20 global carriers in the
in Ethiopian Airlines and, learnt from. Personally, I have world as part of our vision 2035.
describe what Ethiopian learned commitment to one’s
means to you? responsibility and that discipline What do you think the
is paramount in aviation which future holds for the Travel
I joined Ethiopian 35 years ago is learned from my immediate Industry in general and
as a Marketing Agent and have predecessor, Ato Girma Wake, for Ethiopian Airlines in
been serving in various capacities as I had the opportunity to particular? Do you think
until I became CEO in 2011 work with him for years. we are nearing end of
and now Group CEO. It has not COVID era?
been an easy journey, but I am Apparently, ET’s growth
so glad that I have learned a lot in the first 60 years’ Industry watchers estimate
working at Ethiopian, and I have journey was very slow. that recovery to where we
seen our airline grow rapidly to Looking at the last fifteen were in 2019 could take up
become a globally competitive years, however, the to 2 years. Even if the travel
and the largest African carrier. growth witnessed is very industry returns to where it was
For me, Ethiopian Airlines is my impressive. How do you in terms of volume, it will be a
home, a learning environment, feel to witness this growth completely different industry. It
and a workplace. I feel that while you are at the helm will be contactless and health
it is a privilege to work with and assuming this growth conscious. That’s why I urge my
such dedicated and talented rate continuing, would you colleagues to be at the forefront
colleagues and serve my country give us a picture where you of this change. We have to be
in this capacity. wish to see our beloved leading this change and not be
airline fifteen years down caught by off-guard.
There's been a long line of the line?
CEOs before you. What What is your message to
have you learnt from them? Having developed a 15-year ETG employees on this
Who do you think has growth plan dubbed vision special occasion?
made the biggest influence 2025 in 2010, our airline has
on you - both personally seen an impressive growth in I urge all employees to continue
and / or professionally? the last decade. I am very proud to work hard, as usual, be
to be part of this journey, and mindful of the changes in our
My thought on learning is that even more so considering the industry and above all always
it’s a 3600 process. We learn fact that we have witnessed have the customer in mind.
from all the people that we come an unprecedented growth in We will weather the storm
across if we just give it a try. Africa in such a challenging and celebrate many more
There is ample opportunity to environment for aviation. Given anniversaries. I wish all the best
learn from colleagues, from our the dedication of the entire to all my beloved colleagues and
bosses and of course from our Ethiopian Airlines family, I am Ethiopian family as we celebrate
predecessors. My predecessors sure that we will be one of the this momentous occasion.
were aviation professionals that Happy 75th anniversary!

4

ET-Star

5

ET-Star

አውሮፕላን ለመግዛት የተደረገ ስምምነት እና የአየሩ ባቡር

በ1921 ዓ. ም ግርማዊ ንጉሥ ተፈሪ ፣ ብላቴን ጌታ ወልደማርያም አየለን ከፈረንሳይ ሀገር አውሮፕላኖች እንዲገዙ ወደ
አውሮፓ ላኳቸው።ሊገዙ የታሰቡት ፖቴዝ 25 ኤ የተባሉት ተዋጊ አውሮፕላኖች ነበሩ።ኢጣልያ ኢትዮጵያን ቅኝ ለመግዛት ፣
ቀደም ብላ ተዘጋጅታ ስለነበር ፤ ምንም ዓይነት የጦር መሳሪያ እንዳይሸጥ ታከላክል ነበር። ከዚህ የተነሣ ፣ በኢትዮጵያ ዙርያ
ቅኝ ግዛት የነበራቸው እንግሊዝ እና ፈረንሳይ ኢጣሊያን ላለማስቀየም ሲሉ ግዥውን ከማፅደቅ አዘገዩት።

በተመሳሳይ ጊዜም ንጉሥ ተፈሪ በ1921 ዓ.ም. ወደ ኢትዮጵያ መጥቶ ከነበረው ሜጀር ሐንስ ስቲፈን (Hans Stefen)
የተባለ ጀርመናዊና ስቲፈንና ሄይማን የተባለ ኩባንያ ተወካይ ጋር ስለ አውሮፕላን ግዢ ንግግር ጀምረው ነበር።ንግግሩን
በአማካይነት የመራው በአንድ ወገን ኢትዮጵያዊ ዝርያ ያለው ዴቪድ ሀል ነበር ።ከሜጀር ስቲፈን ጋር የተደረገው ስምምነት
ዡንከርስ ደብሊው 33 (Junkeres w 33) የተባለ የጀርመን ሥሪት የሆነ አውሮፕላን ከሁለት አብራሪዎች እና መካኒክ ጋር
ለማስመጣት ነበር ።በጊዜው አውሮፕላኑን ለማብረር የተመረጡት አብራሪዎች ባሮን ሐንስ ቨርነር ቮን ኤንግል እና ካውንት
ሻስበርግ የተባሉ ነበሩ ።

ከጀርመን ኩባንያ ጋር የተደረገ የአውሮፕላን ግዢ ውል

ንጉሥ ተፈሪ የኢትዮጵያ መንግሥት አልጋወራሽና ባለሙሉ ሥልጣን

ማኅተም

ይድረስ ለሚስተር ዛኸን

ስለ ንግድ አውሮፕላን ከሚስተር ስቴፈን የተላከልዎትን ደብዳቤ በሙሉ ተመልክቼዋለሁ። በአሁኑ ጊዜ ልናዝ የምንፈልገው
አውሮፕላን እንደሚከተለው ነው።

አንዱ ጁንከር 33 ኤል ከብረት የተሠራ ከ280 እስከ 310 የፈረስ ጉልበት ያለው መሆን አለበት።ከፓይለቱ ሌላ ሁለት
ሰው የሚጭን ሆኖ ተሽከርካሪ መትረየስ ፣አንድ ሽጉጥ ከሚያስፈልገው መሣሪያ ጋር ፣ ሌላም የእጅ ቦምብ ማስቀመጫ
እንዲኖረው ይደረግ።ሽጉጡ የሚያስፈልገው ባለቀለም የሆነ ምልክት መስጫ ነው ።የጁንኩሩ ፍጥነት 190 ኪሎ ሜትር
በሰዓት ሆኖ ከ1600 እስከ 1800 ኪሎ ሜትር የሚበር መሆን አለበት። የአውሮፕላኑ ዋጋ ሲ.አይ.ኤፍ. ጅቡቲ 8085 ፓውንድ
ሆኖ የአከፋፈሉ ሁኔታ እንደሚከተለው ይሆናል።

1. የመጀመሪያው ክፍያ 15%

2. ሁለተኛ ክፍያ የታዘዘው አዲስ አበባ ሲደርስ 15%

3. ሦስተኛው ክፍያ ከአንድ ዓመት በኃላ 30%

4. ቀሪው 40% በሁለት ዓመት ይከፈላል።

ሜጀር እስቲፈን አይሮፕላኑን ለማምጣትና እዚህ መጥተውም በሚገባ መሥራቱንም ለማየት መፈለጋቸውን ስለገለፁልን
የጉዞ ወጪያቸውን እንደምንከፍል እናሳውቃለን።ሜጀር እስቲፈን በሚመጡበት ጊዜ ሁለት ምርጥ ፓይለቶቹ እና ምርጥ
መካኒኮች ለሁለት ዓመት በኮንትራት እንዲቀጥሩልን ያስታውሷቸው።ለእነዚህ አራት ሰዎች የሚሆነውን የሁለት አመት
ጠቅላላ ደሞዛቸውን 4,800 ፓውንድ ለመክፈል ዝግጁ ነን።እዚህ እንደደረሱ ለዚህ ሥራ የሚመለመሉትን ወጣቶች
ማስተማር እንዳለባቸው አስታውቋቸው።አውሮፕላኑና ሠራተኞቹ በሦስት ወር ውስጥ አዲስ አበባ መድረስ አለባቸው።ይህ
ካልሆነ ሦስት ወር ጠብቆ ኮንትራቱ ይሰረዛል።

ከዚህ በላይ የተዘረዘሩት በቴሌግራም ለሜጀር እስቲፈን እንዲያስታውቅ እንጠይቃለን። "

ጥር 10 ቀን 1921 (18th January 1929)
6

ET-Star

የአየሩ ባቡር

የመጀመሪያው አውሮፕላን በ1921 ዓ.ም. አዲስ አበባ መድረስ ለኢትዮጵያውን ከውጭው ዓለም ጋር ለመገናኘት አዲስ
ምዕራፍ የተከፈተበት ቀን መሆኑ ደማቅ ታሪክ ሆኖ ይታወሳል፡፡
‹‹ከቶ ምን አሳየኝ ይሠሩትን ያጡ
ጠንቀቅ በል ጌታዬ ወደ አንተም ጋር መጡ››
ብሎ እስኪዘምር ድረስ፡፡ መንገድ ሳይሠራለት፣ ሐዲድ ሳይነጠፍለት በአየር ላይ ተንሳፎ የመጣው ያን አውሮፕላን የአየር
ባቡር የሚል ስም ወጣለት፡፡ በዚህ ሁኔታ ነበር በኢትዮጵያ የአቪዬሽን ታሪክ የተጀመረው፡፡
በኢትዮጵያ አቭየሽን የተጀመረው ንጉስ ተፈሪ በገዟቸው 3 ፈረንሳይ ስሪት ፖቴዝ አውሮፕላኖች ነበር ፡፡ አንደኛዋን
ፈረንሳያዊው ሙሴ አንድሬ ማዬ ከጅቡቲ በማብረር ነሀሴ 12 ቀን 1921 ዓ.ም “ስጋ ሜዳ” አውሮፕላን ማረፊያ ከቀኑ 7
ሰዓት ከ 10 ደቂቃ ላይ ባሳረፈበት ወቅት ነው፡፡ አውሮፕላኗም “ንስረ ተፈሪ” ተብላ ተሰየመች፡፡ ጅቡቲ ቀርተው የነበሩትን
ሁለቱን ፖቴዝ አውሮፕላኖች አንዷን ካፕቴን ማዬ ፣ ሁለተኛዋን ደግሞ ጀርመናዊው ካውንት ሼዝበርግ እያበረሩ መስከረም
12 ቀን 1922 ዓ.ም ወደ አዲስ አበባ አመጧቸው፡፡ እነዚህ አይሮፕላኖች ከመጡ በኋላ “ንስረ አስፋወሰን” እና “ንስረ መኮንን”
የሚል ስያሜ ተሰጥቷቸው ነበር፡፡

ምንጭ ፦ “ፀሐይ፡- የኢትዮጵያ አቪዬሽን አጀማመር” መፅሐፍ እና ኢትዮጵያ ኤኒ ቲንግ ዶት ኮም
ደራሲ፡- ካፕቴን ዘላለም አንዳርጌ

7

ET-Star

ET-STAR GUEST

ET Star

What is your reflection of Ethiopian Airlines (ET) during your time as Deputy General

Manager (D/GM) (1964-1970) and as the 1st local General Manager (GM) (1971-1975)?

Col. Semret Medhane; used by me essentially to become familiar with
all aspects of ET’s workings, get acquainted
Afew words to describe the prevailing with the people concerned and learn about
conditions when ET came into being the airline industry to the extent possible. I sat
are in order, as it also sheds light on with over a hundred individuals in management
circumstances that lead to my induction into ET at their workplaces, to be briefed about their
at the high management level of D/GM. functions and to discuss ideas they may have
to become aware of the problems and/or
Ethiopia started building institutions of opportunities prevailing. To come to the point
a modern state from scratch in 1942, without much ado, my findings regarding the
right after the defeat of Italian forces problems facing ET differed from the previously
that had closed all schools and wiped out assumed. Some of the just less than 100 TWA
educated Ethiopians. About a third of the assigned expatriates had job protectionist traits
government’s budget was being channeled to but, I was convinced that their job insecurity
educate the required workforce. By 1945 the emanated from having grown up during the
aviation sector was restarted with expatriate great depression of the 30s. Many were pulled
management and workforce i.e., Swedes at out from small towns and enlisted in the war
the Imperial Ethiopian Air Force (IEAF) and effort. But, all were dedicated and worked hard
Americans at Ethiopian Air Lines (EAL). to make ET successful. As regards racial biases,
Within a decade, those eager young locals that I was actually impressed by their change of
flocked to aviation had mastered technological attitude since I understood their background,
challenges but, lack of confidence in their ability having lived and studied in Alabama during
to assuming commensurate responsibilities was the Civil Rights Movement of 1963/64. My
cause for their frustration. These Pilots and conclusion was that they were too useful to be
Technicians at ET complained all the way up treated arbitrarily. On the local side, quite a few
to the Emperor, who wisely did not rule on of ET’s Ethiopian employees were known to me
the issue but directed ET’s Board of Directors at schools or in the IEAF, some of them being my
(BoD) to seek a suitable solution. The BoD’s seniors. Almost all employees were motivated,
preferred solution was to get an Ethiopian, intelligent and ready to prove their worth. But
with undisputed qualifications and competence they were too few to grow the airline viably as
in these two technical disciplines, to serve with required by ET, which was too small to fulfill
the GM and jointly submit all proposals to the its expanded goal as African countries chose
BoD. I was the only Ethiopian who fit the bill to transform Addis Ababa into their political
at that time, but I was responsible for logistics capital. The required extensive manpower had
at the IEAF as Director of material . to be trained by ET, as this need couldn’t be
met by government funded institutions like
Nevertheless, by order of the Emperor, I was IEAF or by the private sector considering the
transferred to ET to serve as its D/GM. prevailing economic environment.

As D/GM my mission was to ensure a safe
and successful transfer of responsibility
to Ethiopians, which I started to do in
May, 1964. The first three or four months were

8

ET-Star

9

ET-Star number of employees increased to 2700 from
1500. It indicates a healthy growth achieved
Therefore, my recommendations to the against traffic rights restriction imposed widely,
BoD were that; firstly ET, to grow even in Africa where ET’s service was needed.
profitably, has to invest in training We even dreamed and started implementing
its Ethiopian employees. Secondly, both for imaginative routes. The tropics route, to join
profitability and competitiveness, the quality Asia with South America over Africa, actually
and productivity of local employees has to be gained us the “Award for Pioneering” from Air
maintained at TWA standards or higher. Lastly, Transport World just for reaching China. We
Ethiopianization should proceed competitively were trying to break the monopoly of Polar-
without diminishing rate of growth or routes for such traffic. We thought that the
jeopardizing operational integrity. All three tropics-route would offer warm and interesting
recommendations were accepted by the BoD. stops in Africa. But, extensions were blocked
by traffic rights restrictions; to Japan, in the
ET’s Pilot Training School commenced with North-East and to Brazil, South West from
15 trainees in the Fall of 64, Technical School Nigeria. Forty years later, the dream is now
with 30 trainees in the 1st quarter of 65 realized to an unimagined extent. We almost
and courses for the many other airline disciplines started to manufacture 70+ SAAB’s MFI-17,
followed suite. The rest is history, culminating in an all-purpose single-engine aircraft, for ET,
ET’s Aviation Academy (AA) of today. Constant IEAF and Army Aviation. The plane could
application of these policies created thousands be used for training, liaison, spraying and for
of good paying jobs. By virtue of implementing armed conflict by dropping bombs or launching
American productivity at Ethiopian wages, ET rockets. We would have realized great savings
became competitive in servicing the technical for the country, by producing at half the cost
needs of international aviation through its of buying a similar plane, while also building
technical capabilities, now named MRO and AA. self reliance. SAAB gave us its USD 30M sunk-
Of utmost importance is that ET was able to grow investment for free, hoping for future sale
in Africa’s commercially thin air-routes, while of fighters to Ethiopia. We were hoping to
other airlines couldn’t sustain operation due to acquire the needed skills to manufacture parts
their higher costs of operation. This combination of aircraft types that our country buys, much
enabled ET to consolidating Addis Ababa’s like what Canada is currently considering to
status in Africa. In turn, building its extensive build SAAB’s Gripen fighter. When the case as
African routes gave ET a competitive advantage sponsored by Gen. Assefa Ayene reached the
against fierce competition on inter-continental Emperor, it was supported enthusiastically. But,
routes. Because of ET’s policies that apply to clearance to sign the agreement with SAAB was
human resources (HR), it avoided the pitfalls that delayed by the 1973 political turmoil and the
some African Airlines fell into by their executives baby was still-born. If that had happened, ET’s
demanding and receiving, but not earning, the group today would have included an aircraft
pay of departing expatriate executives. manufacturing company. This effort should be
tried again and again.
Let me now go to the later stage (1971 to
1975). As GM, I tried to forge ahead in One may ask how all of these could
growing ET and its self-sufficiency. As pride happen, especially in the midst of
and sense of ownership grew among employees, Ethiopia’s ongoing revolution and the
in spite of doubts leveled by many in and outside worldwide financial recession of 1974. We did
the country, we succeeded beyond expectation. what ET is doing presently to meet the Covid-19
For example, if my memory hasn’t failed me, crisis. ET adapts to what is required ahead of
ET was operating 2 B-720Bs on international
routes in 1964. By 1975 we added 3 B-707Cs
and 5 B-720Bs, a fourfold increase, and the

10

other major airlines. At that time ET adapted, ET-Star
by wet-leasing our 3 B-707Cs to oil exporting
countries that we targeted and stood out as Dergue committee charged to clarify the issues
the only economic activity to grow profitably in before drastic action is taken against me. During
Ethiopia. Also, while most unionized employees, the meeting in a Palace conference room, I turned
including the civil servants at Civil Aviation the table on the two accusing ET Captains who
Authority (CAA), were tearing down their were sitting there. When the Committee heard
organizations and harming their executives, from me that ET was the only outfit that grew
ET’s employees manned the Control Tower at in the service of the country during their time in
Bole to maintain ET’s flights operating. They power, they realized that I couldn’t be an enemy.
were supportive and in fact protected me from When they learned that the air force pilots were
harsh measures. However, there always are few giving invaluable service and that the 5 BA pilots
maligned exceptions. Permit me to stray and tell would enable us to benefit from 5 thousand
one story, as it helps to realize that huge damage hours flown on B-707C, they were taken aback.
can occur from attempts for the personal gain. They made me explain in detail the value of lease
operation. I gave them a full briefing. They were
The creeping coups that lead to the satisfied and happy to learn so much from one
revolution started with Army mutinies in of their unassuming and unafraid Colonels. The
late 1973. The effect on ET’s business was session ended and, in summing up, the Colonel
that our fledgling tourism traffic disappeared who was chairing the inquiry remarked that when
and other traffic diminished. The effect on ET’s I stated the reasonable salaries of BA Captains,
authority was devastating, as all 10+ members I must have related it to the enormous financial
of ET’s BoD except I who by then had become a gain from our lease operations. I told him that
member, were lost to ET. They were imprisoned BA’s Captains were actually cheaper than ET’s
or executed. But, we prepared for worse to come and gave them actual figures, which per month
by deploying our smaller sized B-720B fleet on were Birr 3.5K for BA and 8K for ET pilots.
our own routes and readying our B-707C fleet They looked accusingly at our 2 pilots who were
for wet-leases. The 1st lease went to Iran Air shaken, one of them uttering unbecoming words.
as luckily we had its CEO, General Khademi, as There and then I told the National Security chief
our champion against false-pride based biases in Col. Tesfaye, who was recording the proceedings,
Iran. Saudia was the 2nd airline that wet-leased to report to the 3 Chairmen of the Dergue
from ET as we had the former CEO of Saudia, that I am ready to resign my post rather than
Mr. Wilson, as my advisor in ET. He satisfied submit to interferences that establish damaging
the Saudi need by a secret agreement to have precedent. It didn’t end too well for ET. A week
one white face in the cockpit of leased B-707Cs later I received a friendly call from Capt. Endale,
to masks ET’s superior self sufficiency. For ET’s chairman of Dergue’s committee for our type of
survival, I had to ignore pushing black faces. activity and we had to terminate the services of
Therefore, when the quadruple hike of fuel our BA Captains, after we had invested on them
prices caused the 1974 recession, most airlines up to their simulator training. Thereby, we lost
were downsizing but ET was hiring. We took in in many ways. I was “promoted” out of ET. The
35+ pilots and 100+ technicians. We even hired signal sent to ET staff was bad, precipitating a
5 B-707 Captains, which were furloughed by decline that was arrested years later with the
BA, for cheap. Despite our stellar performance, appointment of Capt. Mohammed as GM. This
I came nearest to the fate of our former BoD lesson was ignored by the TPLF dominated
members due to false information reported to government and ET was severely damaged, until
the Dergue. Some of our pilots had painted me sound practices were reinstated at the end of the
as an enemy. Fortunately, I was summoned by the 90s. Accelerated growth continued to date.

...To be continued on page 20

11

ET-Star

FLASH BACK

12

ET-Star

13

ET-Star

STAFF CORNER

ወ/ሮ ገነት ዘሪሁን እባላላሁ በአዲስ አበባ ሽያጭ ቢሮ ዳይሬክተር ነኝ::

ላለፉት 41 ዓመታት አየር መንገዳችንን በተለያዩ ክፍሎችና የስራ ሃለፊነቶች በማገልገል ላይ እገኛለዉ፡፡

በ1980 ዓ.ም ማናጀር ኤርፖርት ሰርቪስ ቢሮ በጸሀፊነት ፣ ስቴሽን ማኔጀር ቢሮ, በሰው ሃብት አስተዳደር፣ በአስመራ
ትራንስፖርቴሽን ኤጀንት ፣ Transportation Agent, PRR (Passenger Relation Representative) ፣ሱፐርቫይዘር
ዲፓርቸር ፤ታንዛኒያ ዳሬሰላም ስቴሽን ማኔጀር ፣ ደቡብ አፍሪካ ጆሃንስበርግ ስቴሽን ማኔጀርነት ፣ ፤ጣሊያን ሮም ስቴሽን
ማኔጀርነት አገልግዬ በ2014 ወደ አዲስ አበባ በመመለስ ማኔጀር ፓሴንጀር ሴልስ ቀጥሎ አሁን ባለሁበት ዳይሬክተር አ.አ
ሴልስ በመሆን በማገልገል ላይ እገኛለዉ፡፡

ምስጋናለመላውማናጅመንትእናሰራቶኞችይሁንናየኢትዮጲያአየርመንገድበዓለምአስደናቂየእድገትጉዞበማድረግ በጥቂትዓመታትውስጥከአፍሪካቀ
ዳሚውአየርመንገድለመሆንችሏል፡፡በዚህየእድገትጉዞአየርመንገዳችንበአለም ቀዳሚው የአቪዬሽን ግሩፕ እንደሚሆንአልጠራጠርም፡፡

የአየር መንገዳችን የ75 ዓመታት ጉዞ የተደላደለ ሳይሆን አሁን ያጋጠመን የ ኮቪድ-19 ወረርሽኝን ጨምሮ በብዙ ውጣ ውረዶች እና ፈተናዎች የታጀበ
ቢሆንም በቁርጥ ማኔጅመንት እና ሰራተኞቹ ትጋት እና ብርታት እዚህ ደረጃ ሊደርስ ችሏል፡፡ ይህ በጎ የስራ ባህል እና ቁርጠኝነት በማንኛዉም ችግር
እና ፈተና ዉስጥ ቢሆንም ሳይናወጥ አየር መንገዳችን ከአፍሪካ በቀዳሚነት እየመራ ይገኛል ፡፡ ምኞቴ ግን ከአለም 1ኛ በመሆን ለመጪው ብዙ
ዘመናት እንዲቀጥል ነዉ፡፡

ወ/ሮ ሮማንወርቅ ደስታ እባላለሁ። የትምህርት ዝግጅቴ ከሆቴልና ቱሪዝም ማሰልጠኛ ኢንስቱትዩት በምግብ
ዝግጅት ዲኘሎማ፤ ከአዲስ አበባ ዩንቨርሲቲ ሱኘርቨይዘር ማኔጅመንት ዲኘሎማ እና ከባህርዳር ዩንቨርስቲ
በማኔጅመንት ዲግሪ ምሩቅ ስሆን ፣ በአሁን ሰዓት በኬተሪንግ ክፍል ውስጥ በኬተሪንግ ሴልስ ዲፓርትመንት የክፍል
ሀላፊ ሆኜ አገለግላለሁ። ባለትዳርና የአራት ልጆች እናት ነኝ ።

በኢትዮጵያ አየር መንገድ ውስጥ ላለፍት 37 አመታት አገልግያለሁ። አየር መንገዱን የተቀላቀልኩት በፈረንጆች
አቆጣጠር የካቲት 8/1984 ነዉ።

በመጀመሪያ ስቀጠር ጀምሮ የሰራሁት በኬተሪንግ ክፍል ውስጥ °ጁኒየር ኩክ፤ኩክ፤ሲኒየር ኩክ አናሊስት ኤክስፐርት
አውት እስቴሽን፤ ቲም ሊደር አውት እስቴሽን ክፍል ውስጥ ያገለገልኩ ሲሆን በአሁን ሰዓት በኬተሪንግ ክፍል ውስጥ
በኬተሪንግ ሴልስ ዲስፐርስመንት የክፍል ሀላፊ ሆኜ በማገልገል ላይ እገኛለሁ፡፡

እስካሁን በሰራሁባቸዉ ዓመታቶች ውስጥ በኢትዮጵያ አየር መንገድ በማያቋርጥ እድገት ውስጥ የሚገኝ ሲሆን ፣ይህንኑ እድገት በማስቀጠል በአለም
ላይ አሉ ከተባሉ አየር መንገዶች ተርታ በላቀ ደረጃ እደማገኘውና እዳገኘውም የዘወትር ምኛቴና ፀሎቴ ነው።

ወ/ሮ አልታዩ ገ/መድህን እባላለሁ፡፡በ አየር መንገድ ውስጥ በጡረታ እስከተገለልኩበት ቀን ድረስ ለ 33 አመታት
ያህል በ ኮምንኬሽን ኦፊሰር፣ ሪዘርቬሽን እና ሴክሬተሪ ሆኜ አገልግያለሁ፡፡ በአየር መንገድ ቆይታዬ እጅግ በጣም
ደስተኛ ነበርኩ፡፡ ተድሬ፣ ልጆች ወልጄ ያሳደግኩበት ሁለተኛ ቤቴ ስለሆነ አየር መንገድ ለኔ ሁሉ ነገሬ ነው፡፡ 75ኛ
አመቱን አስመልክቼ ማስተላለፍ የምፈልገው መልዕክት ቢኖር ሁሉንም ሰራተኛ እንኳን ለዚህ ቀን በሰላም አደረሳችሁ
፤ ምንም እንኳን የመጣው በሽታ አለምን እያናወጠ የኛንም አየር መንገድ እያስጨነቀ ቢገኝም በታታሪ ሰራተኞቹ
እና ማኔጅመንት ብቃቱ ይህን ክፉ ጊዜ አልፎ የስኬት ጎዳናውን እንደሚቀጥል አምናለሁ፡፡

ወ/ሮ ቤቴልሄም ሳበተሺ እባላለሁ ።በኢትዮጵያ አየር መንገድ ውስጥ ለ ሃያ አመታት በተለያዩ ክፍሎች ውስጥ
የመስራት እድሉን አግኝቻለሁ ። በበረራ አስተናጋጅነት ፣በ ኢንፍላይት ፕሮዳክት ውስጥ በ ሴፍቲ ኮኦርዲኔተር፣
በካርጎ ሴልስ በማርኬቲንግ ኦፊሰር እና በአሁን ሰዓት በካርጎ ማርኬቲንግ ሲኒየር ማርኬቲንግ ኦፊሰር ሁለት ሆኜ
ድርጅቴን እያገለገልኩኝ እገኛለሁ፡፡

አየር መንገዳችን አለም ላይ ካሉ አየር መንገዶች ውስጥ ጥራት ያለው አገልግሎት በመስጠት ፣በበረራ ደህንነት ግንባር
ቀደም ሆኖ፣ እንዲሁም በካርጎ አገልግሎቱ የተሻለ አቅም እና ፈጣን እድገት በማስመዝገብ በአቪዬሽን ኢንደስትሪ
ውስጥ ግንባር ቀደም ሆኖ እንደማየው ምንም ጥርጥር የለኝም ።

ይህንን መጥፎ ጊዜ፣ የኮቪድ ወረርሽኝን አልፈን ዳግም ከፍ ብለን እንድንበር ከልቤ እመኛለሁ ። እንኳን ለ 75ኛ
አመት የወርቅ ኢዮቤልዩ በአል በሰላም አደረሳችሁ ።

14

ET-Star

አቶ ሄኖክ ሲራክ እባላለሁ፡፡ በኢትዮጵያ አየር መንገድ የህዝብ ግንኙነት እና ኮርፖሬት ኮሚውኒኬሽን ክፍል ኅላፊ
በመሆን በመስራት ላይ እገኛለሁ። አየር መንገዱን የተቀላቀልኩት እኤአ በ 2013 ሲሆን የገባሁትም በአቪዬሽን
አካዳሚ በ ‘School of Marketing’ በ SOM 69 የ ትኬት ሽያጭ እና ምዝገባ አያያዝ ‘Ticketing and
Reservations’ ስልጠና ካጠናቀቅኩ በኋላ ነው። በመቀጠልም በአየር መንገዱ አለም አቀፍ የጥሪ ማዕከል ለ 3
አመታት ያህል ሰርቻለሁ:: በመሀልም ለአጫጭር ግዜያት አዲስ አበባ ከተማ ውስጥ በሚገኙ

የቲኬት ቢሮዎች ውስጥ በ ትኬት ሽያጭ ኤጀንትነት አገልግያለሁ:: በመቀጠልም የህዝብ ግንኙነት እና ኮርፖሬት
ኮሚውኒኬሽን ክፍል ከ 2016 ጀምሮ ከ ጀማሪ የኮሚውኒኬሽ ባለሙያነት አሁን እስካለሁበነት ኅላፊነት ድረስ
በመስራት ላይ እገኛለሁ::

አየር መንገዳችን ከጥቂት አመታት በኋላ ግንባር ቀደም ከሆኑ ግዙፍ የአለማችን አየር መንገዶች ተርታ ይሰለፋል ብዬ
አምናለሁ፡፡ በእርግጥ አየር መንገዳችን በአሁኑ ወቅት ሌሎች የአለማችን አየር መንገዶች የኮሮና ቫይረስ በፈጠረው ቀውስ ምክንያት ኪሳራ ውስጥ
የገቡ ሲሆን አየር መንገዳችን ግን ከሁሉም በተሻለ መልኩ ቀውሱ ያመጣውን ችግር በስኬታማነት እየተወጣ ይገኛል፡፡ ይህም ስኬታማነት በጠንካራ
አመራሮቹ እና ሰራተኞቹ ትጋት የመጣ ነው።

ለሁሉም የአየር መንገዳችን የስራ ኀላፊዎች እና ሰራተኞች እንኳን ለ 75ኛ አመት በአል በሰላም አደረሳችሁ እያልኩ ፣አየር መንገዳችንን ወደላቀ ከፍታ
ለማድረስ ሁላችንም በትጋት፣ በጽናት እና በቁርጠኝነት እንደምንሰራ በመተማመን ከእኛ በፊት የነበሩ እና አሁንም በስራ ላይ ያሉ ጀግኖች አባቶቻችን
እና ታላላቆቻችን ይህንን ስኬታማ አየር መንገድ እዚህ አድርሰውልናል፤ እኛም በዚህ ጊዜ ያለን ሰራተኞች ጠንክረን በመስራት የአየር መንገዳችንን
ስኬታማነት በማስጠበቅ ወደላቀ የስኬት ማማ ለማሻገር በትጋት እንድንሰራ ስል ጥሪዬን ለማስተላለፍ እወዳለሁ፡፡

በድጋሚ እንኳን ለአየር መንገዳችን 75ኛ አመት በሰላም አደረሳችሁ!

አቶ አፈወርቅ ተስፋሚካኤል እባላለሁ፡፡ በኢትዮጵያ አየር መንገድ የመንገደኛ አገልግሎት ክፍል ውስጥ (senior
customer service agent I) የደንበኞች አገልግሎት ወኪል ነኝ : በአሁኑ ግዜ የበረራ መነሻ አስተባባሪ
ሆኜእየሰራሁእገኛለሁ፡፡ ላለፉት 13 ዓመታትበኢትዮጵያአየርመንገድዉስጥሰርቻለሁ፤አሁንምእየሰራሁነው፡፡

በመንገደኛ አገልግሎት ክፍል ውስጥ በልዩ ልዩ ክፍሎች የመሥራት ዕድሉን አግኝቻለሁ ፡፡ ለመጥቀስ ያህል ፣

የቪአይፒ ሳሎን ክፍል፣መድረሻ እና ትራንስፈር ቢሮ ክፍል፣ ልዩ የእንግዳ ተቀባይነት አገልግሎቶች ክፍል (Special
Hospitality Services )፣የሻንጣ አገልግሎት ክፍል ፣ እንዲሁም: የበረራ መነሻ አሁን የምሰራበት ክፍል ነው ፡፡

አየር መንገዳችን በቴክኒዮሎጂም ሆነ የ ደንበኞቹን አገልግሎት ለማሻሻል ሁል ጊዜ ደፋር እርምጃ ይወስዳል:

በ እውነቱ የኢትዮጵያ አየር መንገድ የ 2025 ራዕዩን ከሰባት ዓመት በፊት አሳክቷል ፣ ስለሆነም ቀጣዩን የመንገድ
ካርታ ራዕያችንን 2035 ለማሳካት እንደምንችል ምንም ጥርጥር የለኝም ፡፡

ለ ተወዳጁ አየር መንገዳችን እና ለመላው ሰራተኛ በመንገደኛ አገልግሎት ክፍል ስም መልካም በዓል እና እየተመኘሁ በመጨረሻ የኢትዮጵያ አየር
መንገድ ባለ 5 ኮከብ አየር መንገድ እንዲሆን መልካም ምኞቴ ነው ፡፡

ወ/ሮ አብነት አድገህ እባላለሁ ኝ፡፡የምሠራበት የሥራ ክፍል ኢቲ ሆሊዴይስ ሲሆን የሥራ ድርሻዬም ከፍተኛ የሽያጭ
እና አገልግሎት ኦፊሰር ነው ፡፡

የኢትዮጵያ አየር መንገድን የተቀላቀልኩት እ.ኤ.አ. ኦገስት,2013 ነው፡፡ ወደ ሥራ ዓለም ከመግባቴ በፊት ለምሠራበት
የሥራ ክፍል ብቁ የሚያደርገኝን የትምህርት ሥልጠና በReservation and Ticketing በአቪዬሽን አካዳሚ ለሶስት
ወራት ያክል ተከታትያለሁ፡፡ ሥልጠናውንም እንዳጠናቀቅሁ Reservation office በአሁኑ ስያሜ ዓለም አቀፍ የጥሪ
ማዕከል (Global Call Center) ፣ በማዕከላዊ የጭነት ቁጥጥር (Central Load Control) አሁን ባለሁበት የሥራ
ክፍል ደግሞ ሁለት ዓመታትን አስቆጥሬአለሁ፡፡ በአጠቃላይ የኢትዮጵያ አየር መንገድን ከተቀላቀልኩ ሰባት ዓመት
ሆኖኛል፡፡ ከዚህ ቀደም በነበርኩባቸውም ሆነ አሁን ባለሁበት ክፍል ጥሩ የሆነ የሥራ ልምዶችን እና ተሞክሮዎችን
ቀስሜአለሁ፡፡

የኢትዮጵያ አየር መንገድ ለኢትዮጵያውያን ብሎም ለአፍሪካ ኩራት መሆኑ እሙን ነው፡፡ የሀገራችንን ሰንደቅ ዓላማ አንግቦ ዓለምን በማዳረስ ረገድ
ምንጊዜም ግንባር ቀደም አምባሳደር ነው፡፡ አየር መንገዱ ከሆነ ዓመታት በኋላ ያለበትን የእድገት ግስጋሴው በማጠናከር እና ታሪካዊ ዝናውን ጠብቆ
ከዓለም የአንደኛነትን ደረጃ እንደሚቀዳጁ ባለሙሉ ተስፋ ነኝ፡፡

የ75ኛ ዓመት የምሥረታ ክበረ በዓሉን በማስመልከት የማስተላልፈው መልዕክት፣

በመጀመሪያ መላው የኢትዮጵያ አየር መንገድ ግሩኘ ማኔጅመንት እንዲሁም ሠራተኞች እንኳን ለአየር መንገዳችን 75ኛ ወርቃማ የምሥረታ በዓል
በሠላም አደረሳችሁ እላለሁ፡፡ በመቀጠልም የኢትዮጵያ አየር መንገድ ሠራተኞች በጠንካራ የሥራ ባሕላችን የምንታወቅ ነን፡፡ ይህ ጠንካራ የሥራ
ባሕላችንን በማጐልበት እንዲሁም የተሻሉ እና ለፈጣን እድገት የሚያበቁ አዳዲስ የአሠራር ዘዴዎችን በመዘርጋት የሀገር ኩራት እና ሀብት የሆነውን
አየር መንገዳችን ወደላቀ የዕድገት ደረጃ ከፍ ለማድረግ በጋራ ተባብረን ለላቀ ውጠት እንሥራ ሥል መልዕክቴን አስተላልፋለሁ፡፡

በመጨረሻም ማለት የምፈልገው ከፊታችን የተጋረጠብንን የኮቪድ 19 ወረርሽኝን የእድገታችን እና የስኬታማ ጉዞአችን ጋሬጣ እንዳይሆንብን በጤና
ጥበቃ ሚኒስቴር የተሰጡትን የጥንቃቄ መርሆዎች በመከተል እና በመተግበር ሥራችንን በትጋት መከወን አለብን ሥል በትህትና እገልፃለሁ፡፡

15

ET-Star

ET IN THE NOT SO OLD DAYS!

With the coming to being of the 75th anniversary of Ethiopian Airlines, Mr. Tadesse Tilahun
I recalled my earlier transit flight experience. I know where your mind Employee Engagement and Change
wondered when I mentioned the trip as transit. Let me save you time,
it was through a very small town named Mekane Selam-MKS. It was Mgmt. Expert
twenty-four years ago, before I joined ET, that I had a company trip
to make to Dessie wherein I had to transit through. MKS is a town
in South Wollo about 115 km driving from Kombolcha where the
airport is located.

It was an early morning flight and once we approached one of the
counters at the old terminal in ADD, the agent on the counter checked us in and took the manual coupon of the
ticket we gave her. Soon we were walking on tarmac towards the De Havilland Canada DHC-6 aircraft fulfilling
the requisite airport formalities. This DHC-6 Twin Otter is a 19 seater with an unpressurised cabin which was
the then domestic workhorse of Ethiopian. It was my first experience flying this airplane and as we walk for
boarding I remember cargo and baggage being loaded through both the nose and aft baggage compartments.
We boarded and seated on a rather simple seat with a canvas seat cover on the first raw and the cockpit was in
my visuals throughout the flight.

Soon the airplane took off and after an hour of flight, we were hovering over MKS town and landed on the
second approach. The town was very small relative to my expectation. We landed on a paved land strip and
nothing around looks like an airport. It feels as if you somehow magically landed in a countryside where you see
a herd of cattle grazing nearby and people hustling around.

16

ET-Star

Once the aircraft was parked and the passengers destined to MKS deplaned, an army of locally originating
passengers crowded inside this tiny airplane. After a few minutes, some of the new entrants got their seats while
a few still standing. One of the elderly, who did not get a seat, gently addressed all the passengers inside the
cabin begging for seat describing the seriousness of his trip to Kombolcha. Later I learned that he was heading
to attend a funeral of someone close. It did not take much, two of those who secured seat disembarked offering
their seat to the elderly and his companion. This elderly man was seating next to me and we took off for a not
more than 15 min of flight to Kombolcha. Soon the agent on board started collecting money and issuing tickets
to passengers who have joined us at MKS. On our way, this elderly man was giving me a highlight of what he is
seeing through the window. One could easily understand
that this man, though a rural farmer, is quite familiar flying the sector from his knowledge of the churches, farms
beneath and the mountains etc...
Though I thought my flight experience, then, generally was uneventful, I always remembered the service on the
sector. Little did I know that I am witnessing a very rare, if not inexistent, practice of issuing ticket on board
and enjoying a hop in a soon to vanish aircraft. In a way, I was experiencing the last episode of the fast paced
journey of the Ethiopian Aviation history. Nor did I notice that this was the most unconventional airline trip in
my memory. To date, I feel nostalgic for this DHC-6 aircraft painted with the old ET livery. It is true, on the other
side, that this trip could also tell volumes about the memories of Ethiopian Airlines in those not so old days.
Finally, I would like to wish all Ethiopian Family a happy 75th anniversary!

March 30, 2021.

17

ET-Star

75 IS NOT JUST A NUMBER! IT IS A HISTORY!

“Time flies….. Leaves its shadows!”

The establishment of most successful companies begins from a deep small scratch. No matter how big or small the
company is! Almost all, started from the dry ground with limited resources: in terms of equipment and manpower.
With the notion of the gradual transformation to reach the level they are at the present, there are a lot of ups and
downs. In time, some people put their figureprint on the long journey of the company and die out. But, that is
still a memory that perhaps be shared with the upcoming generation as history.

It is a naked truth that the journey of Ethiopian Airlines began in 1946. It is now a 75 years young Pan-African
global airline. 75 is not just a number, it is History. A History that not only we as Ethiopian staff treasure the most,
but so do Ethiopians and Africans alike.

It is a History yet in the making, for not less than half a dozen fellow African nations whose national carriers were
being given birth to under the patronage of Ethiopian Airlines as did our ancestors of the then TWA do to us in
the early days of our formation. Leaving a legacy in multitude.

75 is not just a number. It is history. A History of laying foundation for a transcending Pan-African Establishment-
Ethiopian Airlines.

“EAL was established in April 1946, barely a year after the end of the Second World War. At the time, sceptics
doubted the wisdom of transferring modern technology and management culture into a country that lacked the
capabilities to administer them and apply its comparative advantage. In the past seven decades, however, EAL,
confounding the sceptics, has evolved from a small domestic airline into a fully integrated and diversified aviation
group, technologically sophisticated, internationally competitive, and highly profitable 21st century aviation
company. EAL’s use of cutting-edge technology and modern organizational and management techniques, has
allowed to serve more than 125 international destinations, including more cities in Africa than any other. When
Ethiopian Airlines started life in 1946, it did so with the help of America’s

TWA [Trans World Airlines]. Who back then imagined it would be the African airline, not the American one, still
alive and thriving 75 years later?”

In 1946, when most of Africa was still under colonial rule, aviation would have been considered an “alien industry”
for Ethiopia, a poor African country totally reliant on subsistence agriculture with an illiteracy rate of more
than 96 percent. When EAL was first established, Ethiopia had only two secondary schools and no tertiary
institution. Influential mainstream economists of the day would have advised that an aviation industry was out of
line with Ethiopia’s comparative advantage. Over the past seven decades, more than 5,000 airlines have secured
International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) codes, but only a small number have survived beyond 10 years.
EAL is one of them. Its journey is thus a rare African catch-up story, teaching the centrality and complexity of
technological learning and the role of a disciplined state in building a national champion.

Right after the Second World War, Ethiopia was the only independent African sovereign state, and a founding
member of the United Nations. The Ethiopian government, as part of a modernization initiative, committed to
establishing a commercial airline to integrate the country politically and economically—the most rational and cost-
effective strategy because of the rugged and mountainous terrain and inadequate roads and railways. With the

18

ET-Star

assistance of Swedish Count Eric von Rosen, the Ethiopian government initially approached the Swedish carrier
ABA, and an agreement was due to be signed in December 1945. However, in June 1945, the Ethiopian delegation
attending the United Nations founding conference in New York met with U.S. state department representatives
and requested technical assistance in establishing a commercial airline, primarily for domestic air service. The state
department organized an initial meeting with Brigadier-General T. B. Wilson, Board Chairman of Transcontinental
and Western Airlines (TWA, renamed Trans World Airlines in 1950). The Ethiopian government signed an
agreement with TWA in September 1945, and the new airline was founded on 21 December 1945, commencing
operation on 8 April 1946 with five war surplus aircraft. “

See Table 1 for a summary of the evolution of this partnership overtime.

AGREEMENT YEAR KEY CONTENT

First 1945 Established EAL, undertook full operation and the procurement of aircraft

Second 1953 Stated clearly the ultimate objective of Ethiopianization

Third 1959 Stated clearly the ultimate objective of Ethiopianization

Fourth 1966 Transferred management from TWA to EAL and appointed an Ethiopian Deputy CEO

Fifth 1970 Shifted TWA’s role from management to advisory until 1974. The partnership with
TWA ended in 1975 when they found the venture less attractive.

This was how the basic foundations of Ethiopian Airlines was laid back in the days. A foundation firm enough
to let Ethiopian thrive to date. A foundation firm enough to shoulder the structure and edifice of the future of
Ethiopian Airlines. Ethiopian has achieved so many successes defying all the rules and trends and proved to be an
exception in the continent and all over the globe shining as a beacon of good governance. It also surmounted so
many challenges to persevere to date that is worth remembering which we will continue to do so in our upcoming
ET Star editions.

Source: Oqubay, Arkebe, PhD, and Tesfachew, Taffere, PhD, “The Journey of Ethiopian Airlines”, African
Development Group, 2019

By: Tadesse Tilahun and Tesfahun Leta

19

ET-Star my resignation to pave the way for another Ethiopian
of the BoD’s choice. General Assefa Ayene, my former
...continued from page 11 Commander in Chief at IEAF and a member of ET’s
BoD that I had best relations with, was requested by
ET Star; the BoD to convey to me their proposal. Specifically,
it was that I run the airline while a senior minister will
What were the major challenges while Ethiopianizing be appointed as GM to interface with the government.
ET? I advised against politicizing any position in the airline,
the BoD sufficing for that role, and refused the offer
Col. Semret Medhane; because of the damaging precedent it would establish.
My decision was to leave ET the moment Mr. Wilson
Once the principles that drive Ethiopianization were arrives, as staying on will retard ET’s progress towards
approved by a BoD that was largely composed of self-sufficiency. The chairman of BoD had to seek the
Cabinet Ministers, implementing the project proceeded Emperor’s order to appoint me as GM. It was granted.
smoothly. Each supervisory position had clear I resigned often, to keep the airline operating free from
selection criteria, which we applied rigorously in filling politics and under sound commercial principles. In April
vacancies. We also facilitated this transition through 1975 my resignation was accepted by the Dergue. The
TWA cooperation to take back ET’s internationally pilots’ issue that caused it damaged ET severely. Playing
experienced expatriate staff at commensurate levels. politics, my successor ran ET to the ground.
In ET’s interest the experienced expatriate Captains
of long service were given renewal of their contract to ET Star;
retirement age. I had very few and minor problems in
the appointment of Capt. Alemayehu as D/GM Flight What do you think are the factors that were
Ops or Capt. Mohammed as D/GM Technical Services established in the early days which helped ET reach
because of the measurable technical criteria that apply its present state?
to these positions. However, positions that are not
technical were ripe for interventions and suggestions Col. Semret Medhane;
by so many, in and out of ET. That, was cause for my
headache. I must admit that expatriates exerted much I would like to respond by starting from the top,
less pressure on me than locals while they compete for not necessarily the order of importance. Private vs.
promotions and/or induction into ET. These challenges Public ownership is constantly debated but, when
were overcome successfully. To round up the outcome establishing ET, the country had no option but to
of the Ethiopianization project that lasted 5 years; go public. Circumstances dictated that ET be self-
Firstly, only 5 expatriates remained of the 100 or so sustaining, hence, operating under sound commercial
(excluding the Captains who were below retirement principles was mandatory. The Emperor decided on
age). Secondly, ET schools produced sufficiently to none-interference but, with limited regulatory support.
increase headcount by 30% while reducing payroll costs He gave ET a clear mandate, to provide access to the
per employee. Lastly, ET increased capacity by around world and domestically. Without these principles ET
80%. All was accomplished without compromising couldn’t have grown profitably. ET has bounced back
a single case, although some cases brought me near from two debacles brought about by government
despair. My own case illustrates such domestic politics interferences. The 1st was by the Dergue and the 2nd
that I despised. By 1969 TWA concluded that I was by its successor. Presently a third attempt is just held
ready to assume the responsibility, after working with 3 in abeyance. I consider ideology driven privatization
GMs of varied backgrounds. They were namely: Capt. of ET dangerous. Fortunately, Covid-19 arrested this
Asire (Ops), Greenwald (Sales) and Brumit (Finance). process and demonstrated ET’s strategic value. It’s
TWA’s chairman, Mr. Tillinghast, came over to Addis only gift to Ethiopia, save for discouraging the habit of
Ababa for a courtesy audience with the Emperor and kissing and hand-shaking. For ET, I advocate protection
on that occasion, he announced his gift for ET’s 25th by law from intervention by governments and
Anniversary to BoD. Specifically, that I am the TWA private ownership. Now that we are to start genuine
proposed GM for ET and that TWA’s role needed democratic elections, we can expect not only peaceful
to change from contractor to advisor. In no doubt changes of governments but also more frequent changes
that we would be delighted, he started the process of than just the three changes in the past 100 years. We
pulling Brumit out and eventually selecting Mr. Wilson can also anticipate more and forceful interventions from
as an advisor. After accepting my recommendations in politicians with short term agenda. The Emperor’s
ethiopianizing so many executive positions over the policies, applied over 75 years, have given ET its present
5 years period, at times without the full support of status. What is wrong with the idea, of publicly owned
TWA, the BoD doubted my suitability. Time passed entities operating like privately owned ones, if it yields
and rumours started circulating. ET’s 25th Anniversary such result? It’s dedicated people working as a team
passed and Brumit was pulled out to head TWA’s Asia not ideologies that produce desired results. I think that
operations based in Hong Kong. After working hard for
nearly a year, ignoring the constant speculations, I offered

20

what’s needed is a provision for a referendum written ET-Star
into law that protects ET from harmful interventions
instigated for short term gains. Col. Semret Medhane;

The second factor for success is the home grown Long term planning and
dedicated and competent management. It is built up implementing it with confidence
from raw material that comes from schools. It revels in is the best measure taken by ET.
and refines ET’s work-culture and allocates resources As a member of the Board of
judiciously to meet ET’s goals. Further, all employees Management (BoM) during
were quick to adopt a work culture that made ET the 1st decade, I supported the
competitive. Traditional cultures and social obligations transition from rolling 5-year
that stood in the way were kept in check. Most plans to fixed long-term ones,
importantly, salaries were based on local conditions, since it enables timely investment
not international ones. Had ET not maintained these in Human Resource (HR) and
qualities, growth to the present status would not have in equipment that require long-
occurred. ET would have gone down the way many lead times. Further, it yields huge
public-owned ones have or like its privately owned savings from the timely and large
foster father, TWA. sized investment that’s made.
Visions 2010 and 2025 were
ET Star; ambitious but ET has surpassed
those ambitious goals substantially,
What is your reflection on Vision 2025 and beyond? while avoiding the pitfalls that
come with accelerated growth. I
think ET should continue in this
proven path. My only concern is
that criteria for leveling off growth
is not evolved or adopted by the
owner government. A point must
be reached when ET’s commercial
success should support other
sectors of the country’s economy,
as growth for the sake of growth
is neither an ET’s mandate nor a
desirable goal.

ET Star;

What do you feel about
Ethiopian Airline’s leading
position in Africa and globally?

Col. Semret Medhane;

I feel pride and immense satisfaction at seeing such
progress. I wish that ET’s work-culture and leadership
qualities would permeate throughout the nation. ET
is its HR. The nation would experience accelerated
growth if its HR were to adopt ET’s fundamental
qualities. When Africans see ET’s accomplishments,
they feel pride too. What’s accomplished in a part of
the continent can be replicated in another part and also
in other sectors of human activities. I know that ET’s
influence goes far beyond air-transport as its symbolic
value to Africans is invaluable.

ET Star;

What is your message for ET Management &
Employees on this 75th anniversary?

Col. Semret Medhane;

“Think of your people in all your plans and actions, for

you come from them.”

21

ET-Star

MEMOIRS

“From Mules to Jets” is an adage saying to depict Ethiopian’s journey through
the ages. Literally on the 8th day of April 1946, I don’t think Ethiopia, the
land that is so close to my heart would ever envisage that its untarred runway
would host aircrafts instead of the usual mules loitering around.

When I joined the airline in the year 1973 with a once weekly flight from

Mumbai, never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that this airline would

reach these unimaginable peaks with double daily operations not only from

Mumbai and Delhi but also commencing operation to Bengaluru. If not for

the global pandemic, Chennai would have also been an additional city in Yvonne Rodricks,
India.
Senior Administrative Assistant,

I attribute the success of my beloved airline to the dynamic leadership we are Mumbai India

blessed with and the belief that they understand manpower to be one of its

biggest investment. Creating an atmosphere of job satisfaction in one’s workplace is also another factor that has

added passion where it is just not a job that we are fulfilling but being part of this organization that has shaped

us over the years. 48 years and counting for me but I feel that it is a new day every day. I love the challenges, the

refreshing atmosphere and the thinking cap that can never stop and should never say it is done and over.

The 75th logo for me is a symbol of Bold, confident strokes, literally the confident decisions ET has taken over the
years…. Yet the flourish of the tri colour flag depicts the softness at the heart of every Ethiopian and ET staff.

I love to say My Airline when I refer to ET because there is feeling of belongness and I wish all of my colleagues
worldwide a happy 75th Anniversary and may God continue to bless us forever.

22

ET-Star

TEAM SPOT

ድር ቢያብር አንበሳ ያስር

ሀገራችን - ኢትዮጵያ የበርካታ ስነ-ቃሎች ባለቤት ናት። ብዙዎቹ የሀገራችን ቋንቋዎች
በቃል የሚተላለፉ ብዙ ሀብቶች አሏቸው።በስነ-ቃል አማካኝነት በርካታ የማህበረሰብ
ታሪክ፣ትውፊት፣ፍልስፍና፣ጀብድ፣ጥንካሬ-ድክመት ፣ሰልጣኔ- ኋላ ቀርነት ከትውልድ
ወደ ትውልድ ይተላለፍበታል።

ከስነ ቃሎቻችን አንዱ የሆነውን ምሳሌያዊ አነጋጋር ወይም በተለምዶ "አባባል" በመባል
የሚታወቀው ሰፊ ክፍል ነው። ይህ የስነ-ቃል አይነት ጥልቅ ፣እምቅ እና አመራማሪ
ሀሳቦች በዘይቤያዊ የንግግር ለዛ በአጭር የሚገለፁበት ነው።

ድር ቢያብር አንበሳ ያስር” የሚለው ፈሊጣዊ አነጋገር በሰፊዉ ማህበረሰብ አንድነትን ጥንካሬ እና በጋራ - ተጋግዞ የመስራትን

አስፈላጊነት እና ፋይዳ ለማመልከት በስፋት የሚዘወተር ምሳሌያዊ አነጋገር ነው።ይህ አባባል ከሳይንሳዊ እውነታ ጋር ቀጥተኛ

- አመክኗዊ ግንኙነት አለዉ።

ድር ከትንሿ ሸረሪት የውስጥ አካል ክፍል በተፈጥሯዊ መንገድ ተቀነባብሮ የሚፈጠር ክስተት ነው።ተመራማሪዎች እንደሚሉት

ክብደቱ ከጥጥ ጋር ሲነፃፀር ቀላል ሆኖ ከብረት አምስት እጥፍ ያህል ይጠነክራል። እንደ ዘርፉ ባለሙያዎች ገለፃ ከሰባት በላይ

የድር አይነቶች እንዳሉ ይነገራል። እነዚህ የድር አይነቶች እርስ-በርሳቸው ተቀነባብረው እና ተሰላስለው ለአገልግሎት
ሲውሉ ከዘመናዊ የሀር ልብስ እስከ ጠንካራ የጥይት መከላከያ ልብስ መስሪያነት ያገለግላሉ።በቅርቡ አሚ ካኒንግሃም
የተባሉ ተመራማሪ ሳይንስ ኒውስ በሚል መፅሄት ላይ በአለማችን ትልልቅ ድልድዮችን ወጥሮ ለመያዝ የሚያገለግለው
ወፍራም ሽቦ የሚሰራው ድራግላይን ተብሎ ከሚጠራው የድር አይነት ነው።ይህ የድር አይነት በበርካታ አሳ አጥማጅ
ሀገሮች አሳን ለማጠመጃነት የሚያገለግል ጠንካራ መረብን የሚያዘጋጁበት ሲሆን፣ስፋቱ አንድን የእግር ኳስ ሜዳ ሊሸፍን
ይችላል።ጥንካሬው አንድ በመብረር ላይ ያለን አውሮፕላን ማስቆም ይችላል።

ከሳይንስ ቀድሞ የድርን ዘርፈ ብዙ አገለግሎት እና ጥንካሬ የተረዳው የሀገሬ ሰው የአንድነት እና ተያይዞ የመስራትን ሀያልነት
በምሳሌያዊ አነጋገር "ድር ቢያብር አንበሳ ያስር "ብሎ ይተርትበታል።በዚህ ንፅፅራዊ አገላለፅ ውስጥ የአራዊቶች ሁሉ
ሀያል ተብሎ የሚጠራው አንበሳ በትንሿ - የሸረሪት ድር እንደሚረታ እናያለን ። በዚህ ምሳሌያዊ አነጋገር ውስጥ አንበሳን
የችግሮቻችን ሁሉ ተምሳሌት ሆኖ እናገኘዋለን። በሌላ መልኩ ድርን በእያንዳዳችን ውስጥ የሚገኘውን እውቀት፣ክህሎት እና
ልምድ ምሳሌ ሆኖ እናየዋለን።

ብዙ የጋራ ችግሮቻችን ከእያንዳንዳችን በተናጠል በሚገኙ የህይወት ልምድ እና ክህሎት ጥምረት በቀላሉ ሊፈቱ የሚችሉ
ናቸው። ውስብስብ እና ከባድ የሚመስሉ የሀገራችን ችግሮች ከብረት በጠነከረው የአንድነት ፣ የመዋደድ፣ የመከባበር እና
የመተጋገዝ ድር ይፈታሉ።

ከዛሬ 75 አመታት በፊት ሀገራችን - ኢትዮጵያ የበረራ ኢንድስትሪውን ስትቀላቀል ፣ በወቅቱ ቁጥራቸው ከሁለት የበለጡ
የሁለተኛ ደረጃ ትምህርት ቤቶች በሀገሪቱ አልነበሩም።የ75 አመት እድሜን ያስቆጠረው አየር መንገዳችን ከምስረታው
ጊዜ ጀምሮ አሁን እስካለበት ደረጃ ድረስ ጠንካራ የስራ ባህል እና እንደ ድር እርስ በርሳቸው ተሰላስለው የተዋቀሩ ሙያዊ
መስተጋብሮች አሉት።እነዚህ መስተጋብሮች ለአየር መንገዱ ፈጣን እድገት ምክንያት እንደሚሆኑ መገመት አያዳግትም ።
በርካታ የጥናት መዛግብቶች እንደሚያመለክቱት የበረራ ኢንዱስትሪ ከሌሎች ሙያዎች በተለየ መልኩ ጥንቃቄ እና ተናቦ
መስራትን (Team working ) እንደሚሻ ይናገራሉ።

በመስሪያ ቤታችን ውስጥ የሚታየው ሙያዊ (Professional) ቁርኝት እና ስራዊ (Operational) ተዛምዶ አየር መንገዳችንን
በበረራው ኢንድስትሪ ጠንካራ ተፎካካሪ አድርጓታል። ከሰራተኛ ቅጥር ክንዉን በኃላ ተገቢዉን የማጎልመሻ ስልጠናዎችን
በተለያዩ የስራ መደቦች ለሚመደቡ ሰራተኞች በተዋቀረ መንገድ በመስጠት በየጊዜዉ እንደ ድር የጠነከሩ ሰራተኞች ያፈራል።

በጋራ ያሉንን መልካም ልምዶች ፣ እውቀት እና ክህሎት በየደረጃዉ በማዋሀድ መስራት ከቀደሙት የወረስነዉ ነባር የስራ
ባህል ነውና ይህን ጥንካሬችንን አስጠብቀን ወደፊት መገስገሳችንን መቀጠል ይኖርብናል።

ተስፋሁን ለታ

መጋቢት 20 ፣ 2013 ዓ.ም

23

ET-Star

PUBLICATION BACK IN THE DAYS

Sources: Selamta magazine, volume 23 number 2, April -June 2006
24

ET-Star

Source : ET-Air Star

25

ET-Star

ግጥም

መንገደኖቻችን፡- እንበራለን ገና

አልነጃሺ መስጊድ የጣናን ገዳማት ፤

ይህ፣ የበረራ ቁጥር 1946 ነው ፣ ከሶፍ ዑመር ዋሻ ከአባ ጅፋር መንደር ፣

ከአዲስ አበባ ተነሰቶ መድረሻው ካይሮ ነው ፣ የግድ ይለናል የአየር መንገድ መብረር፣

መልካም በረራ፣ ጭስ አልባው ኢንዱስትሪ እንዲደግፍ አገር ፡፡

ከካፒቴን አለማየሁ ጋራ ፡፡ እንበራለን፣ እንበራለን ገና

እስኪ እንጨ ዋወት ታሪክ ተመርኩዘን፣ የችግር ማዕበል መች ያግደንና፤

75 ዓመትን የኋሊት ተጉዘን፤ አገር በቀል ዕውቀት የኮንሶ እርከን ሥራ፣

የሚደፍር ጠፍቶ በሰማይ በረራ፣ በኢቫንጋዲ ምሽት የሐመር ጭፈራ ፤

የነጭ ኃያልነት በሁሉም ሲወራ፤ “ኮፊም” ከፋ ሆኖ በጥንቷ ማንኪራ፣

አፍሪቃም መከረች ከልቾቿ ጋራ፣ እናያለን ብዙ ጂንካ ስናመራ፡፡

መሆን ቢታክታት የዓለም ሁሉ ጭራ፡፡ ወዲህ፡-

ግና ፡- የንግዱ ትስስር ደርቶ በዓለማችን ፣

ለሰማዩ ፈረስ ለሰማዩ ባዝራ፣ በእጅጉ እንዲሳለጥ የወጪ ንግዳችን፤

ባጭር ባጭር ታጥቆ ሁሉም ሲሰማራ፣ አበባና ሥጋው ሲላክ በዓይነት በዓይነት ፣

ዓለም ተደነቀች፣ በአገራችን ምድር አትክልት ፍራፍሬው ሲደርስ ከሁሉም ቤት፡፡

ታሪክ ተቀይራ ፡፡ የአገራችን ቅመም የጤፉም እንጀራ ፣

በጥቁር አድማስ ላይ የጥቁር ጢያራ፣ ደርሶ ባህር ማዶ ስማችን ሲጠራ፣

ቀስተ ደመናማ ሰንደቁን ሲያበራ ፣ በአየር መንገዳችን ማን አለ ያልኮራ?

አፍሪቃም ቀና አለች ይህን ሁሉ ፀጋ

ምድረ ሀበሻም ኮራ ፡፡ ይህን ሁሉ ተዓምር ፣

ማንዴላም እንዲህ አለ፣ ያ! የሰላም ወታደር፣ ማን ያውቅልን ነበር !?

በአየር መንገዳችን ከአክራ ሲሳፈር ፤ ማን ያይልን ነበር !?

ከእኔነቴ ብቃይ ከነፃነት ቤቴ፣ አድማሱን ሰንጥቀን

የጥቁር አብራሪ በቅሎ በማየቴ ፣ ወዲያ ባንሻገር ፡፡

አንገቴም ቀና አለ ኮራሁ በእኔነቴ ፡፡ ከአቤ እንደ ተቀብለ ማሞ አደራውን

ከዚያማ፡- የትውልድም ጅረት አይፈስም ብቻውን፣

የአቪየሺን ኢንዱስትሪ ተተኪ እንዳያጣ፣ ካላዋጣ በቀር ሁሉም የድርሻውን ፡፡

በብቃት በጥራት ገርቶ የሚያወጣ፤ እናም፡-

ከዘመኑ ጋራ አብሮ የዘመነው፣ በአየር መንገዳችን አገር እንድትኮራ

ጊዜውን የዋጀ ምንም ያልጎደለው ፣ እኛም በተራችን አለብን አደራ!

የአቪየሺን አስኳላ ተከፍቶ አገኘነው፡፡ አደራ...አደራ...

ወዲያ፡-

ዓይን እንዲጠግብ የራበውን ነገር፣

የጀጐልን ግንብ ለማየት ከሐረር ፣ ፋሲል አድማሱ
የጥምቀትን በዓል በጎንደር ለማክበር ፤ Sr. Developer

ህንፃ ላሊበላ የአክሱምን ሐውልት ፣

26

ET-Star

HAPPY MOMENT

27

ET-Star

BEFORE AND AFTER

28

ET-Star

29

ADDRESS
Group Employee Engagement and Change Management
Email ;- [email protected]
Telephone –251115178225/8725/4397
Organized by Group Employee Engagement and Change Management

www.ethiopianairlines.com