Tewolde GebreMariam, Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO who has been leading the top African carrier since January 2011, has resigned due to health issues.

Mr. Tewolde has been under medical treatment in the USA for the last six months, Ethiopian Airlines noted in a statement sent to 2merkato.com. Consequently, he has stepped down as CEO after the Board of Management of Ethiopian Airlines Group accepted his request for early retirement in order for him to focus his full attention to his medical treatment.

Tewolde GebreMariam has led the Airline for over a decade, with remarkable success reflected in its exceptional performance in all parameters including but not limited to exponential growth from one Billion USD annual turn-over to 4.5 Billion, from 33 airplanes to 130 airplanes, and from 3 million passengers to 12 million passengers (pre-COVID), Ethiopian's statement cited.

Under Mr. Tewolde's leadership, the airline group has grown by fourfold in all measurements building more than $700 million worth of vital infrastructures such as Africa’s biggest hotel, Cargo terminal, MRO hangars and shops, Aviation Academy, and Full Flight Simulators.

The Board has said they will announce the new Group CEO and successor to Mr. Tewolde GebreMariam shortly.

In another note, Girma Wake, former CEO of Ethiopian Airlines, has been appointed as a new Chairman of the Board of Management of Ethiopian Airlines Group by the Ethiopian Public Enterprises Holding and Administration Agency.

Mr. Girma is a highly experienced, successful and well-regarded business leader and a well-known figure in the aviation industry who previously led Ethiopian Airlines for seven years as a CEO and "laid the foundation" for the fast and profitable growth of the airline, Ethiopian Airlines' statement recalled, adding his decision-making skills are "tested and well-proven".

Source: Ethiopian Airlines statement sent to 2merkato.com