HISTORY
The Journey of Ethiopian Aviation
ECAA : PIONEERING THE SKIES SINCE 1944
History of Aviation in Ethiopia
The history of aviation in Ethiopia goes back to 1929 when a French-made airplane, a Potez 25 flown by French pilot Andre Milet, landed on the western side of Addis Ababa en route from Djibouti. This milestone occurred just 26 years after the Wright brothers' first flight and two years after Captain Lindbergh's famous Atlantic crossing.
"While Milet piloted the first aircraft to mark our history, he was followed just a month later in September by successors bringing diverse aircraft types into the heart of the empire."
In 1930, the government purchased five-seater airplanes like the Farman-192 for postal and security services connecting Dire Dawa, Djibouti, Debremarkos, and Gondar. The dream of Ethiopian pilots soon became reality. French instructor Gaston Vidal established the first pilot school in Jigjiga, producing our first certified pilots: Mishka Babichief and Asfaw Ali.
Following them were Bahiru Kaba and Tesfamikael Haile. A truly remarkable milestone of this era was W/ro Mulumebet Emrru, who emerged as one of the first Ethiopian female pilots.
Airplanes by 1936
Female Pilot
"From 1926-1936, new domestic routes opened to Gefersa, Bishoftu, Janmeda, and Akaki."
The "Tsehay" Legacy
Technological frontiers were crossed with the assembly of the first aircraft manufactured in Ethiopia, known as "TSEHAY" (ETHIOPIAN ONE). Constructed by Landwing Weber, a German engineer, the aircraft became a symbol of national pride.
During the occupation, patriots camouflaged Tsehay in the forest to protect her from loot. Though she was eventually taken to Rome, her legacy remains a testament to Ethiopian ingenuity.
Fig.1. The first Aircraft manufactured in Ethiopia.
Global Signatory
Ethiopia attended the Chicago Conference and became one of the few African nations to sign the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) convention. The Civil Aviation Authority was founded the same year.
A Flag Carrier is Born
Ethiopian Airlines was founded with six surplus Second World War DC-3/C-47 airplanes, starting a journey that would redefine African aviation.
Aviation School
With ICAO technical assistance, an aviation school opened in Addis Ababa. The first 60 trainees mastered Communication, Navigation, Aircraft Maintenance, and Metrology.