The history of Ethiopian Airlines dates back to the mid-1930s when the Ethiopian government recognized the need for a national airline to ensure a reliable connection between the capital city of Addis Ababa and other major cities in the country. On December 8th, 1945, the government made its dream a reality by officially forming Ethiopian Air Lines. The airline’s first aircraft, a DC-3, was purchased from South African Airways.

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The airline’s initial fleet was composed of DC-3s and DC-4s, but it was not until the mid-1950s that the airline upgraded its fleet to include larger jet aircraft. In 1958, the airline acquired its first jet, a Vickers Viscount 745D, which allowed it to expand its route network to include other international destinations such as Beirut, Cairo, and Nairobi.

The 1960s saw the airline expand its fleet to include larger jets such as the Boeing 707, allowing it to significantly increase its range and passenger capacity. During this time, the airline made its first foray into the African continent by starting flights to Lagos, Nigeria, in 1962. It also established its first international routes to London, Paris, and Rome.

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In the 1970s, Ethiopian Airlines continued to upgrade its fleet, adding larger aircraft such as the Boeing 727, 737, and 747. This allowed the airline to expand its international route network to include destinations in the Middle East, Europe, and the United States. In 1972, the airline made a significant milestone in its history by becoming the first African airline to join the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

The 1980s saw the airline expand its fleet and route network to include more international destinations, with the acquisition of more modern, fuel-efficient aircraft. In 1985, the airline added the Boeing 767 to its fleet, allowing it to fly to even more destinations around the world. The airline also opened its first cargo hub at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport.

In the 1990s and 2000s, Ethiopian Airlines continued to modernize its fleet and expand its route network. In 1997, the airline became the first African carrier to add the Boeing 777 to its fleet. By 2005, the airline had added the Airbus A350-900 to its fleet and had increased its total passenger capacity to more than 5 million passengers a year.

The airline has also experienced a few difficult periods in its history. In 2010, the airline was forced to ground its entire fleet due to an incident involving the illegal transportation of weapons aboard one of its flights. The airline also experienced several air crashes over the years, including a crash in 1996 that killed all 127 people on board. Nevertheless, the airline has continued to grow and evolve in the face of adversity, and today it is one of the leading African airlines with a fleet of more than 80 aircraft and a route network that spans five continents.