During a warm ceremony held Friday at Novotel Alarobia, Ethiopian Airlines celebrated the excellence of its Malagasy partners. More than twenty travel agencies, tour operators, and freight forwarders were recognized for their contribution to sector development.
Dereje Diriba, Area Manager of Ethiopian Airlines in Antananarivo, praised the commitment of these actors in opening up Madagascar and connecting it to global markets. "These partners are the dedicated engines that have driven our growth in Madagascar over the past year," he stated. "Today is a day of celebration and recognition of the vital role each of you plays in our shared journey. At Ethiopian Airlines, we measure success not only by sales volume, but by the strength of the bonds we forge and the quality of experience we deliver."
For the partners present, the airline's strength lies in its ability to strengthen air connectivity across the continent and beyond. "We have been collaborating with Ethiopian Airlines for seven years. In Madagascar, the company's major asset is its exceptional connectivity to Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East." "By combining competitive pricing and service quality, Ethiopian Airlines establishes itself as the reference partner for both leisure and corporate clients."
The direct impact of network expansion. "Thanks to Ethiopian Airlines' vast network, we diversify our travel options, allowing us to better meet our clients' requirements, whether professional or leisure."
This growth dynamic aligns with the airline's historic mission, which for 80 years has worked to "Bring Africa Together." For Dereje Diriba, the relationship between Ethiopian Airlines and Madagascar goes beyond air transport: "The company acts as a true facilitator of commerce and cultural exchange."
A vision shared by national authorities. The technical advisor to the Ministry of Transport and Meteorology reaffirmed the strategic nature of this partnership: "Ethiopian Airlines is a leading partner. Through its regular frequencies, it offers Malagasy citizens and economic operators direct access to a global network covering all five continents."
Operationally, Ethiopian Airlines is significantly strengthening its presence on the island with now 12 weekly flights to Antananarivo and 7 flights to Nosy Be. "Increased frequencies directly support job creation in hospitality, transport, and services sectors," added the Area Manager.
By ensuring service regularity, the company stimulates not only tourism but also the export of local products to international markets. Through this capacity reinforcement, Ethiopian Airlines reaffirms its confidence in Madagascar's economic potential, marking a decisive step in developing cross-border exchanges.
In 2025, Ethiopian Airlines was designated for the 8th consecutive year as "Best Airline in Africa" by Skytrax at the World Airline Awards 2025 at the Paris Air Show. The ambitions of this emblematic company, a Star Alliance member, aim through its "Vision 2035" plan to join the world's top 20 airline groups.