June 14, (THEWILL) – The Ethiopian Government, on Monday, appointed the Commander of the country’s Air Force, Lieutenant General Yilma Merdassa, as the new chairperson of Ethiopian Airlines Board of Directors.
Merdassa, who until his new appointment has served as a member of the Board of Directors for about two and half years, replaced Girma Wake
In March 2022, the Ethiopian Government appointed 79-year-old Girma Wake, former CEO of Ethiopian Airlines, as Chairperson of the Board of Directors following the appointment of Mesfin Tassew as CEO replacing Tewolde Gebremariam, who resigned on grounds, as reported then, of health condition.
Why Ethiopian Airlines has not disclosed reasons behind the replacement of Wake, the development comes amidst controversy surrounding the establishment of Nigeria’s national carrier, Nigeria Air and the unveiling of a chartered Ethiopian aircraft as Nigeria Air carrier by the immediate past Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika.
Last week, the Interim Managing Director of Nigeria Air, Captain Dapo Olumide, said the aircraft used to unveil the country’s national career was a legitimate chartered flight from Ethiopian Airlines, adding that the aircraft was returned to Ethiopian Airlines after the unveiling on the last day of the Muhammadu Buhari administration.
Nigeria’s Senate and House of Representatives Committees on Aviation have both labelled the launch of Nigeria Air as a fraud.
A statement issued by Ethiopian Airlines reads: “Ethiopian Airlines Group would like to inform its stakeholders that Lieutenant General Yilma Merdassa, the Commander of Ethiopian Air Force, has been appointed by the Ethiopian Government as Chairperson of Ethiopian Airlines Management Board effective June 8, 2023, succeeding Mr. Girma Wake. Lieutenant General Yilma Merdassa has been serving the Airline Group in the capacity of Management Board member for the last two and half years before he assumes the new role.
“Ethiopian Airlines Group welcomes Lieutenant General Yilma Merdassa and wishes him success in his new role.
“Mr. Girma Wake has led the Group as Management Board Chairman since March 2022. During this period, Mr. Girma has provided effective guidance to the Group, sharing his wealth of experience in the aviation field. Prior to that, he had served the airline in different capacities including as member of the Management Board, and CEO positions at different times. His contribution to the growth and success of the Airline Group has been enormous and will take a special place in the history of the Group.
“Ethiopian Airlines would like to extend its gratitude and appreciation to Mr. Girma and wish him all the best in his new endeavours.
“Ethiopian Airlines executive management shall continue working closely with the Management Board to implement Vision 2035 and take the airline to the next level.”
