The United States Under Secretary of Commerce Gilbert Kaplan led a large delegation of U.S. businesses and officials from across the U.S. government on a visit to Ethiopian Airlines.

Under Secretary Kaplan met with Ethiopian Airlines CEO Tewolde Gebremariam, to discuss potential ways for U.S. companies to partner with Ethiopian Airlines to achieve even greater growth, including in the construction and operation of new airports. The rest of the group toured Ethiopian Airlines’ impressive aviation academy and cargo facilities. During the visit, Ethiopian Airlines announced deals with General Electric (GE) and Honeywell and a training grant from the U.S. Trade Development Agency (USTDA).

USTDA is partnering with the Sabre Corporation to provide an Airline Solutions Training Program Technical Assistance grant for Ethiopian Airlines Enterprise, which could leverage up to $21.2 million in financing to support the procurement of airline information technology solutions, consulting services, and industry best practices.

Ethiopian Airlines is procuring twelve General Electric engines valued at $444 million, as well as a separate $473.5 million 10-year maintenance contract.

Ethiopian Airlines has also signed two contracts with Honeywell – a $10.2 million deal for the Bole Airport expansion and a $7.2 million Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) service contract. Ethiopian Airlines’ fast, profitable and sustainable growth and outstanding leadership sets a powerful example of the economic potential in Ethiopia – one of the world’s fastest growing economies.

For over 70 years since the Airline’s founding, American companies and the U.S. government have enjoyed successful partnerships with Ethiopian Airlines, demonstrating the incredible potential of cooperation between our countries. The President’s Advisory Council on Doing Business in Africa (PAC-DBIA), composed of 23 U.S. companies across a variety of sectors, is visiting Ethiopia, Kenya, Côte d’Ivoire, and Ghana to gather insight into market opportunities and challenges faced by U.S. businesses, which will inform their subsequent recommendations to President Trump on how to strengthen bilateral trade and investment with these countries.