Mesfin Tasew Bekele is an Ethiopian businessman and engineer, currently serving as the Group Chief Executive Officer of Ethiopian Airlines since March 2022.
He has over 38 years of experience in the airline industry, having joined Ethiopian Airlines in 1984 as an Associate Engineer.
Prior to his current role, he was the CEO of ASKY Airlines and the Chief Operating Officer of Ethiopian Airlines from 2010 to 2021.
Education
Bekele holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering and a Master of Science in Communications Engineering, both from Addis Ababa University.
He also earned a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the Open University in the United Kingdom.
His educational background has equipped him with the technical and managerial skills necessary for his leadership role at Ethiopian Airlines, where he has worked since 1984.
Career
Bekele has a distinguished career in aviation that spans over 38 years having began his journey at Ethiopian Airlines shortly after graduating in 1984.
He started as an Associate Engineer. L
Over the years, Bekele advanced to become an Avionics Engineer, where he worked on the electronic systems of aircraft, ensuring they met safety and operational standards.
He later took on the role of Chief Information Officer, overseeing the airline’s IT infrastructure, which is crucial for modern airline operations.
In this capacity, he implemented technology solutions that improved efficiency and enhanced customer service.
From 2010 to 2021, Bekele served as Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Ethiopian Airlines.
In this pivotal role, he managed the airline’s day-to-day operations, which included overseeing flight operations, maintenance, and ground services.
The airline received numerous awards for safety and service quality under his guidance.
In 2021, Bekele took on the role of CEO at ASKY Airlines, a regional airline based in West Africa.
Here, he focused on enhancing operational performance and expanding the airline’s network. His tenure at ASKY was marked by efforts to improve service delivery and operational efficiency.
Returning to Ethiopian Airlines as Group Chief Executive Officer in March 2022, Bekele is now responsible for the strategic direction of the airline group, which encompasses passenger and cargo services as well as maintenance and engineering operations.
His leadership is characterized by a focus on sustainability and innovation in aviation.
Awards and achievements
Bekele has received recognition for his significant contributions to the aviation industry throughout his extensive career.
Notably, he was awarded a gold medal as Outstanding Graduate of the Year from the Faculty of Technology at Addis Ababa University in 1984, highlighting his academic excellence.
Under his leadership as CEO of Ethiopian Airlines Group, the airline achieved remarkable financial success, recording profits of $937 million and carrying 6.9 million passengers in a single year.
