Ethiopian Airlines, Ethiopia's flag carrier, is in negotiations with Bombardier Commercial Aircraft for the purchase of five Q400 turboprop aircraft. The airline has been in negotiations with the Canadian manufacturer for some months according to a senior Ethiopian Airlines Executive.
Bombardier and Ethiopian Airlines are in the process of negotiating the details in the purchase agreement said the executive. It is expected that this step will be concluded in the next couple of months he explained.
Bombardier declined to comment on its negotiations with Ethiopia on grounds that discussions with customers and prospective customers are confidential. The aircraft manufacturer will acknowledge an actual order with a press release describing all relevant details according to John R. Arnone, Manger, Media and Public Relations of Bombardier.
It is to be remembered that in 2010 Ethiopian Airlines purchased 8 Q400 aircraft which were deployed for domestic and regional routes.
In related news the Ethiopian Civil Aviation Authority announced that it has authorized Boeing to carry out a test flight of the B747-8 at Bole International Airport, Addis Ababa.
The aircraft manufacturer requested permission to conduct high altitude test flights on engine performance.
A similar request by Boeing made last July was denied because Bole International Airport was undergoing expansion works that led to congestion.
The civil aviation was able to permit test flights as the airports enterprise is near to completing the expansion project according to Col. Wossenyeleh Hunegnaw, Director General of the ECAA.
