Strong demand for air cargo is helping Ethiopian Airlines build capacity and profit.
Ethiopian Airlines chief executive Tewolde Gebremariam told a Dubai conference by videolink that the airline is operating close to 70% of its pre-pandemic capacity, reported Reuters.
He added the airline also managed the pandemic with its own finances and without bailouts.
"For us, Ethiopian Airlines, the cargo business is strong and I would say is a breadwinner in the group," said Gebremariam.
"We are cash-positive. We are profitable."
Airfreight market rates have risen due to e-commerce growth and increased demand for air cargo due to shipping container congestion and delays.
In December, Ethiopian Airlines received IATA’s Center of Excellence for Independent Validators in Pharmaceutical Logistics (CEIV Pharma) certification as an airline and for ground handling.
