Ethiopian Airlines

Ethiopian Airlines has maintained a generally strong safety record despite operating in a continent where aviation challenges can be more prevalent.

• Recent safety record and any notable incidents: While historically regarded for its safety, the airline experienced a tragic incident on March 10, 2019, when a Boeing 737 MAX 8 (Flight 302) crashed shortly after takeoff from Addis Ababa, resulting in the loss of all 157 people on board. This was its deadliest accident. Prior to this, other significant incidents included a 1996 hijacking which ended in a crash, and a 2010 crash off the coast of Lebanon. Following the 2019 crash, Ethiopian Airlines resumed Boeing 737 MAX passenger service in February 2022. More recent air safety incidents have included a Boeing 777-200 freighter burning down on an apron in Shanghai (2020), a de Havilland Dash 8-400 runway excursion (2024), a Boeing 777-300 technical problem with a cargo hold leading to an evacuation (2024), and a Boeing 787-8 loss of separation and TCAS resolutions (2023).
• Regulatory certifications: Ethiopian Airlines actively participates in and maintains its IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) certification, a globally recognized standard for airline operational safety, since 2007. The airline also holds the highest Category 1 safety rating from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), allowing it to operate flights to the US, and complies with EU's European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) regulations. It collaborates with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and has implemented the ICAO's State Safety Program (SSP) and Safety Management System (SMS) frameworks.
• Fleet age and maintenance reputation: Ethiopian Airlines operates one of the youngest fleets in Africa, with its active aircraft having an average age of less than seven years. It boasts the largest Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) service in Africa, which is fully equipped to handle aircraft, engine, and component maintenance for itself and other airlines in Africa and the Middle East. Its maintenance practices are recognized by international aviation authorities.
• Overall safety assessment based on available data: Despite the tragic 2019 incident, Ethiopian Airlines is generally considered one of the safest airlines globally and in Africa. AirlineRatings.com awarded it a safety rating of 6 out of 7 stars as of February 2024, acknowledging its robust safety record and adherence to international safety standards, intensive pilot training, and modern fleet.
• Any safety awards or recognitions: Ethiopian Airlines has received various recognitions for its operational excellence, including being honored as a 4-Star Global Airline by APEX in 2025/2026. In 2016, it won Environmental, Health and Safety Awards in the Effective Aviation Safety category, with the citation praising its "outstanding" safety record and aircraft maintenance in Africa. The airline also received IATA CEIV Pharma Recertification in 2025.