Abebe Angessa Gurmessa began his career in the aviation industry after graduating from Ethiopian Airlines School of International Marketing and Finance in 1982. Over the succeeding 35 years at Ethiopian Airlines, Abebe held key positions in Commercial Division including Director Ethiopian Cargo Marketing and Services covering export import transit movement of goods from Ethiopia to Africa to Middle East to Asia and Europe leading him to win “Best Cargo Division” 2001 performance award.
Following a fast rising career he served Ethiopian Airlines: as Sales Manager Kenya; Station Manger Ivory Coast; Area Manager Tanzania; Area Manager Hong Kong; Area Manager Benelux (Amsterdam-Brussels- Luxembourg).In 2007 he served in a capacity of “Director Local Air Lines services”. He was also assigned to prepare vision 2025 strategy of regional airlines services. Abebe moved to Uganda to his last post in 2012 as Area Manager and during his stay he succeeded in achieving additional four direct flights and two flights via Juba and Goma in total six flights a day.
In the course of his term at Ethiopian Airlines with his extensive experience in a variety of sectors, Abebe led key strategic Ethiopian initiatives including growth and development of Ethiopian Air Cargo for national export; Ethiopian Government import; National Bank, VIP Charters, Hajji and Christian pilgrims charters; emergency Airlift operations; UN forces repatriation services.
Abebe is goal oriented meeting time sensitive targets. Performs very well under pressure and energized by a challenging targets that drive to success and empower others to excel through effective mentoring and coordination. He is also strong in service delivery; in balancing customer- human resource and company interests; more so in risk mitigation techniques; frequency and route network development; airlines expansion plan; on time performance in operating cost saving and control.
He served in commercial division as head office and field office staff. The senior positions that Abebe held with Ethiopian Airlines have offered him the opportunity to build skill, knowledge and experiences in developing Start up Regional, Charter and Cargo Airlines services; Airlines Sales and Service management skills; Preparation of regional airlines strategies, coaching mentoring and motivation of host of airline staffs; commercial department cost saving and control skills ensuring profitability.
The long year of exposures have completed Abebe’s competency in airlines Financial, Customer, Process and Human resource measurements, in interpersonal skills with ability to plan, organize direct and implement strategic initiatives requiring leadership, and cross functional coordination.
In pursuing his career, Abebe has participated in several Trainings Seminars and workshops by leading academic institutions namely, Maastricht School of Management in the Netherlands; IATA Geneva, Ethiopian Airlines, Management Institute of Ethiopia and Open University in Addis Ababa. Abebe is also a graduate of Ethiopian Police College in 1977.