adminline with its expansion programme.
The Boeing 787 Dreamliner made its debut on African soil on December 11 at Addis Ababa’s Bole International Airport as part of a test flight.
But the first of a fleet of 10 Boeing 787 Dreamliners acquired will arrive in the second quarter of 2012 as Ethiopian Airlines expands its existing destinations.
“Ethiopian Airlines is very pleased to be the first African airline to receive the environmental leader, the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, to Addis Ababa on its first tour to Africa,” said Mr Tewolde Gebremariam, the airline’s chief executive.
Captain Desta Zeru, vice president of flight operations, will fly the new aircraft from Haikou, China, to Addis Ababa to become the first African to do so.
The Boeing 787 Dreamliner is regarded as a game changing aircraft and will bolster Ethiopian Airlines expansion drive using the latest airplanes.
Vice president of sales for Boeing commercial planes Mr Ray Conner said his company was delighted to introduce the innovative product for customers.
“This airplane is now changing the way the world flies and we want to share that excitement with as many people as we can,” said Mr Conner.
The Boeing 787 Dreamliner will add to the 787-800 generation and 787-200LR Boeing family in Ethiopian Airlines fleet. By the end of the year, Ethiopian Airlines will be part of the Star Alliance, an alliance of 27 leading global airlines.
Ethiopian Airlines is one of the largest and fastest growing in Africa. It made its maiden flight to Cairo in 1946 and services 63 destinations worldwide and boasts London, Beijing, Hong Kong, Harare, Frankfurt among its destinations.
It has won several awards covering consistent profitability, excellence in cargo transportation, infrastructure excellence, corporate achievement and contribution towards growth of African aviation industry.
Online Reporter