Mesfin Tasew Bekele: Roles, Education, and Professional Achievements

Mesfin Tasew Bekele is a seasoned aviation executive and accomplished engineer, currently serving as the Group Chief Executive Officer of Ethiopian Airlines since March 2022. With nearly four decades of extensive experience, Mesfin is regarded as one of Africa’s most impactful airline leaders, known for blending technical expertise with strategic vision.

Having joined Ethiopian Airlines in 1984 as an Associate Engineer, Mesfin steadily rose through the ranks by taking on pivotal roles, including Chief Information Officer, Vice President of Maintenance & Engineering, and Chief Operating Officer. During his tenure as COO from 2010 to 2021, he spearheaded operational optimization initiatives that significantly enhanced the airline’s efficiency, cost management, and global competitiveness.

He also briefly led ASKY Airlines as CEO from 2021 to early 2022, guiding the West African airline to sustained profitability under Ethiopian Airlines' strategic partnership.

Mesfin holds a BSc and MSc in Electrical and Communications Engineering from Addis Ababa University, where he was a gold medalist, and an MBA from the Open University in the UK. His leadership style is characterized by a deep understanding of aviation systems, data-driven strategy execution, and a commitment to workforce development.

Under his guidance, Ethiopian Airlines continues to reinforce its position as Africa’s largest and most profitable airline, playing a critical role in enhancing regional connectivity and shaping the future of air travel across the continent.