In the cabins, meanwhile, the carrier expects to carry 30 per cent more passengers in the year ended June, though it faces the same fleet delivery and supply problems as other airlines.

Ethiopian currently operates a fleet of 146 Boeing, Airbus and De Havilland planes and has firm orders in place for 70 Boeing and Airbus jets and options to buy 54 more, part of a plan to double its fleet and route network by 2035.