By Sikha Thakur
Aviation industry has recognized Ethiopian Group CEO, Tewolde GebreMariam, ‘Airline Executive of the year’ organized by Centre for Aviation (CAPA) in Malta for excellence at the annual Global Aviation Awards.
The outstanding strategic thinking and innovative direction for the growth of Ethiopian Airlines and the aviation industry at large lead GebreMariam commendable individual influence on the aviation industry lead him won the title.
Commenting on the achievement, GebreMariam asserted, “I sincerely thank CAPA for the recognition. I am honored to have received the award and I want to dedicate this award to my colleagues, more than 16,000 brave men and women around the world who always challenged themselves to soar higher to create a new milestone. With the mind-set and every step they have taken can become new history in today’s 21st century aviation business. We have achieved greater milestones at Ethiopian as one family.”
Tewolde GebreMariam began his career at Ethiopia in 1985 and appointed as Group Chief Executive Officer of Ethiopian Airlines in January 2011. He also served as a member of the High-Level Advisory Group on Sustainable Transport with United Nations, Chief Executive Board member of Star Alliance, Board member of International Air Transport Association (IATA) and Airlink Advisory Council. Besides, he is an Executive Committee member of the African Airlines Association (AFRAA), a member of Board of Directors of Africa Travel Association (ATA) and Board of Directors of Ethiopian Tourism Organization (ETO).
As CEO, Tewolde has been a multi award winner including ‘African CEO of the Year’, ‘Best African Business Leader’, ‘The Airline Strategy Award for Regional Leadership’ and ‘The Most Gender Focused CEO Award.’ The awards later expanded to the global stage in 2012 to acknowledge aviation excellence worldwide.
Emeritus Peter Harbison, CAPA Chairman expressed, “Tewolde GebreMariam has become unbeatable over the past decades in African aviation. Under his guidance Ethiopian Airlines has transferred into a major global force, with a modern fleet and a world class operation. Previously, he has been most tirelessly challenged following the MAX accident and emerged with greater reputation. We look ahead to greet him and present this prestigious award. Wish him the Best, help lead the airline to even greater heights.”