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The giant 289-seater aircraft – the most technologically advanced commercial aircraft in the world – would be servicing the route daily until June 15.
Ethiopian Airlines Zimbabwe area manager Mrs Fitsimt Dejene said the Dreamliner would also be available on other routes, such as Dubai-Harare, during the 36 days after which there will be a review of the business on the route to determine the way forward.
“After the 36 days, the availability of the Dreamliner will be determined by the load factor on the route,” she said.
The Ethiopian Airlines, which has four Dreamliners in service, became the first airline in the world to resume flights using the Dreamliner 787, after the United States Federal Aviation Administration recently approved improvements that Boeing made to the 787 battery systems, paving the way for the resumption of flights. The US FAA had grounded all Dreamliners in January this year after concerns over the plane’s batteries which caused a number of emergency landings.
“The battery issue was resolved and we are the first airline to be flying the Dreamliner after the battery improvements. This is a major milestone for us,” said Mrs Dejene.
She said apart from enjoying the luxury offered by the Dreamliner, their passengers should also look forward to paying competitive fares and generous luggage allowances. “The luggage limit for Africa is 30kg and 40kg for all routes abroad,” she said.
The sales executive of the airline in Zimbabwe, Eugenia Kujakowadya, said they were still to take delivery of an additional six Dreamliners as they had ordered 10.
“We are continuing to open up more routes,” she said. The Dreamliner is a long-range, mid-size wide-body, twin-engine jet airliner developed by Boeing Commercial Airplanes.
It seats 265 passengers in economy class and 24 in business class. It is Boeing’s most fuel-efficient airliner and the world’s first major airliner to use composite materials for most of its construction.
According to Boeing, the 787 consumes 20 percent less fuel than the similarly-sized 767.
Its distinguishing features include a four-panel windshield, noise-reducing chevrons on its engine nacelles, and a smoother nose contour.
It offers passengers enhanced on-board comfort, significantly reduced noise, higher level of humidity and boasts the biggest windows ever and a unique lighting system.
Online Reporter