Ethiopian aviation support company Krimson has initiated the second phase in its development programme, to expand its operations and enlarge its customer base. The company, based at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, was founded in 2015. It currently provides aviation communication, charter brokerage, ground handling, flight support, refuelling and other services.

“Our first five years focused on operations to establish Krimson as a one-stop shop for crew and passengers, while providing flight support, charter, leasing, (maintenance, repair and overhaul) solutions, and aviation consulting,” explained company founder and CEO Dawit Lemma. “Now in Phase II, Krimson’s focus is on major expansion projects and broadening our customer base in East Africa and beyond. Our ambitions moving forward are aligned with building and managing the first dedicated business aviation FBO (fixed-base operation) in Addis Ababa and enhancing our service offering to better serve the aviation community.”

The company has customers from around the world, and provides them with local expertise in Ethiopia, East Africa and across the continent. These clients include business aviation operators, commercial airlines and travel planning companies. Krimson is expecting an increase in demand for its services, with a post-pandemic surge in air travel demand. To be ready to meet this demand, the company has just restructured its management. 

Former chief commercial officer Helina Teshome has been promoted to the new position of MD. She will now be responsible for all the company’s business operations and for strategic planning to support CEO Lemma. “The potential development and realisation of a Krimson FBO, bolstered by our flight support operations, which cover the whole of Africa, remains my primary ambition,” she said.

She, in turn, will be supported by Gideon Girma, who has been appointed to another new position, that of commercial manager. He will head marketing and communications, direct sales, maintaining vendor-client relations while expanding the customer base, as well as co-authoring and implementing business development strategies.

The company’s dedicated luxury travel division, Krimson Koncierge, which provides tailored itineraries and excursions, will now be headed by Michael Mesfin. “Ethiopia is fast becoming a destination for discerning travellers and I’m excited to be growing and marketing our services and positioning Ethiopia as a mainstream destination for the curious voyager,” he affirmed. “We already support flight and cabin crew, as well as passengers. It is a natural evolution to grow this part of our business.”