Ethiopian Abiy Asrat Jiru takes over Zambia Airways
Zambia Airways started commercial operations in December 2021 as a 45/55 joint venture between Ethiopian Airlines and the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), the investment arm of the Zambian government.
The Zambia Airways Board of Directors has announced the appointment of Ethiopian Abiy Asrat Jiru as Chief Executive Officer for a five-year term until 31 March 2024. A product of the Ethiopian Aviation Academy, he was previously Director of Innovation and Business Development at Ethiopian Airlines. Abiy Asrat Jiru holds a Master's degree in Business Leadership from Addis Ababa University. He will officially take up his position on 31 January, replacing his compatriot Bruk Endeshaw Abebe who has held the position since February 2019.
"The board wishes to acknowledge the pivotal role that the outgoing CEO played in ensuring that the airline takes off on 1 December 2021," said board chairman Bonaventure C. Mutale. "We wish Mr. Abebe all the best in his future endeavours. According to him, the position of Chief Executive Officer will go to a national from the next term.
As a reminder, Zambia Airways started its commercial operations on the domestic route between Lusaka and Ndola last month. Since then, the Zambian flag carrier has added Livingstone to its network. It currently operates a single aircraft, a Dash8-400 ( ET-ANW, msn 4320).
According to the business plan, two domestic services (Mfuwe and Solwezi) and two regional routes (Johannesburg and Harare) are to be added by March. On the fleet side, the expansion plan calls for the introduction of two more aircraft by then, a second Dash8-400 and a Boeing 737-800 (all leased from Ethiopian Airlines). The company aims to have a fleet of 12 aircraft by 2028. A capital of 30 million dollars has been raised for the launch of the company.
Zambian Airways is now Ethiopian Airlines' fifth strategic partnership in Africa. The Ethiopian flagship owns 20% of Asky; 49% of Malawian Airlines; 45% of Chadia Airlines (launched in October 2018); and part of Ethiopian Airlines Mozambique (started in December 2018 but suspended since May 2021).
The Ethiopian carrier is also in talks with the Congolese authorities to set up a 59/41 joint venture called "Air Congo".
