Ethiopian Airlines was awarded the Gold Award for African Airline of the Year 2011/2012

Ethiopian Airlines was awarded the Gold Award for African Airline of the Year 2011/2012 from the African Aviation News portal. Ethiopian Airlines earned this distinguished honor by receiving the highest number of votes from readers, industry officials, and followers of African Aviation. More than 20,000 total votes were registered in this year’s poll, both online and in various industry meetings and airline congress events.

“We at Ethiopian Airlines are delighted and honored to receive such recognition for the work we do,” said Kagnew Asfaw, Ethiopian Airlines’ Director for the Americas. “Our non-stop Boeing 777LR from Washington Dulles has allowed us to offer improved service to all of Africa, and our recent membership in the Star Alliance will allow us to continue service innovation in the field.”

In the past 65 years, Ethiopian Airlines has become one of Africa’s most reputable airlines, and is unparalleled in the continent for its successful operations in industry service with maximum efficiency. The airline is at the forefront of modern technology, maintaining state-of-the-art fleets and providing excellent services to the pan-African network, as well as to 62 international destinations. In addition, Ethiopian Airlines continues to operate with the conscientious priority of making their Ethiopian Aviation Academy the best flying school in Africa.

Receiving the Gold Award from the African Aviation News portal is a welcome addition to the multitude of distinguished recognitions already bestowed upon the airline by various organizations throughout the industry, the latest of which was the “Airline of the Year Award” presented at the 43rd African Airlines Associations (AFRAA) Annual General Assembly in November 2011.

Ethiopian Airlines to Launch Non Stop Flight to Dammam

Ethiopian Airlines, Ethiopia’s flag carrier, announced plans to launch a new non stop flights from Addis Ababa to Dammam beginning on the 12th of February.

The flight to be launched to Dammam will allow business people to investigate the investment and recreational potential in the area according to Tewolde Gebremariam, Chief Executive Officer of Ethiopian Airlines.

The flight to Dammam, the capital of the eastern province of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, will be the 8th destination in the Middle East for Ethiopian Airlines and its 64th around the world.

Ethiopian Airlines sells Fokker 50s, seeks Q400s

Ethiopian Airlines has sold its five Fokker 50 regional turboprops to Fortran Aviation Limited, and is negotiating with Bombardier to replace them with five new Q400 turboprops.

Ethiopian Airlines Chief Executive Oficer Tewolde Gebremariam said the aircraft were sold so that the airline could buy new aircraft. He added that the aircraft were transferred at the end of last year.

Earlier this month Singapore-based aircraft and engine parts company Fortran said the five Fokker 50s were being sold on to the Indonesian start up airline Pacific Royale. The five aircraft were manufactured between 1995 and 1997 and were sold by Ethiopian after a decade of use to ensure compliance with European safety regulators, which release strict guidelines to African operators not to operate old aircraft.

After selling the Fokker 50s, Ethiopian is planning to acquire five more Bombardier Q400 regional turboprops. Gebremariam said a deal to acquire more Q400s is still in the early stages of negotiation, and inside sources say Ethiopian has been negotiating with Bombardier for several months.

“The two parties are now discussing the details of the purchase contract. Hopefully, it would be concluded in the coming couple of months,” a senior executive at Ethiopian told Ethiopia’s The Reporter last month.

The Canadian manufacturer said it was not allowed to discuss possible sales but would make a formal announcement following a firm order.

Ethiopian Airlines ordered eight Q400s in November 2008 for US$192 million. The first aircraft arrived in March 2010 and began replacing the carrier’s Fokker 50s.

Ethiopian has around 40 aircraft on order as it implements its vigorous fleet renewal project. Ethiopian has an order for ten Dreamliners and will be the first African airline to receive the aircraft, when the first 787 arrives in the second quarter of 2012. Ethiopian plans to use the 787 to expand its existing destinations as well as its presence in more markets worldwide, including new destinations in the Far East.

The airline currently operates eleven 767-300s, with eight of the type slated for retirement by 2016. It also operates five 777-200LRs, eight 757-200ERs, five 737-700s, five 737-800s and eight Bombardier Q400s. It intends expanding its jet fleet to 112 by 2025.

In December 2011 Ethiopian joined the Star Alliance and plans to strengthen its route network in Singapore, South Korea and China. It is also planning to open new routes to the United States and Canada.

Chinese Company to Construct Hangar for Ethiopian Airlines

Ethiopian Airlines, Ethiopia’s flag carrier, accepted the bid submitted by the Aviation Industry Corporation of China to construct a 100 million dollar maintenance hanger.

The AVIC and Ethiopian Airlines are discussing financing for the project said Tewolde Gebremariam, Chief Executive of Ethiopian Airlines.

It is expected that the construction project for the maintenance hanger will commence in the first quarter of 2012 to be completed within 900 days from when construction begins according to Tewolde.

The Ethiopian Airlines management team evaluated the technical and financial capacity of AVIC before awarding the project to the construction firm.

The initial invitation for bids to construct the hangar was issued in 2011 as part of Ethiopian Airlines expansion projects to meet the airlines Vision 2025.

The expansion projects will include new headquarters, and developing the aviation academy and a simulator building for a range of different aircraft including the Boeing 787.

The maintenance hanger to be constructed will increase the number of hangars Ethiopian Airlines operates to four.

It is to be remembered that The Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul unit of Ethiopian Airlines, has received approval from the European Aviation Safety Agency. The Approval Certificate, EASA Part 145, was granted to the maintenance division of Ethiopian Airlines on the 21st of November.

The approval from the European Aviation Safety Agency allows the MRO division of Ethiopian Airlines to repair the airplanes and aircraft components of European Union member country registered airlines. The airline is also authorized to issue EASA Airworthiness Certificates.

The authorization includes the B757 and B767 fleet line maintenance, component maintenance and base airframe maintenance.

Ethiopian Airlines Employees Get Pay Raise

Ethiopian Airlines, Ethiopia’s flag carrier, announced a 20% pay raise for all employees effective as of the first month of 2012.

The board of directors of Ethiopian approved the salary increment according to the Public Relations Department of the airline.

The 20 percent raise was granted by the board and management of Ethiopian Airlines to acknowledge the dedication, hard work and success of all airline employees said the Public Relations Department.

Ethiopian Airlines employs 5635 employees, with 28% maintenance and engineering, 29% marketing and sales, 12% cabin crew, cockpit crew 6% and 25% employed in various sectors of the airline.

Ethiopian Airlines to open new routes to Asia & N. America

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia - The Ethiopian Airlines is undertaking a study to open four new routes to Asian countries: South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia and more destinations in China.

Ethiopian CEO Tewolde Gebremariam told The Reporter that the national flag carrier wants to strengthen its Asian market by opening new routes to the stated countries. Ethiopian has seven destinations in Asia. Ethiopian flies to three cities in China – Beijing, Guangzhou, and Hangzhou. It also flies to Bangkok, Hong Kong, Mumbai, and Delhi. “We are undertaking market studies on Seoul, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and more destinations in China,” Tewolde said.

Ethiopian is also planning to open new routes to the US in addition to Washington DC. Ethiopian is preparing to launch a new flight to Toronto this year. The Canadian Civil Aviation Authority has already given the green light to Ethiopian. The airline hopes to launch the flight to Toronto, where is a large Ethiopian community. Ethiopian will deploy new jetliners – hopefully the Dreamliners – on the new routes.

Ethiopian, which was established in 1945, serves 62 international and 17 domestic destinations. The airline, which prides itself on being “The New Spirit of Africa” serves 40 destinations in Africa, the largest number of destinations served by a single airline.

Ethiopian currently flies only to Cairo in North Africa. A senior executive of the airline told The Reporter that currently the airline is eyeing the north African market – Libya, Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco. However, the executive declined to mention the exact destinations (cities) that the airline wants to serve in North Africa.

Ethiopian Airlines Operates Flights to Muscat International Airport

The Ethiopian Airlines started today operating its first direct flight to Muscat International Airport. The Ethiopian Airlines will operate three weekly Boeing 737 flights.

Wahad bin Saud al Harthy, Director of Marketing at Oman Airports Management Company said that the flights between Muscat and Addis Abeba will be on Sunday, Wednesday and Friday weekly. He pointed out that the Ethiopian Airlines is the 29th company in the list of air carriers operating at Muscat International Airport.

He furthered that the new route will increase the number of passengers and flights through Muscat International Airport during next year. He said that the Ethiopian Airlines is the third African air carriers to call on Muscat ; which will give better option to potential travelers to Addis Abeba and Africa.

Ethiopian Airlines to Buy Five Bombardier Aircraft

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.

Ethiopian Airlines helps Star Alliance grow African network

Star Alliance's stated intention of "bringing Africa to the world and the world to Africa" has been boosted by the entry of Ethiopian Airlines into its fold. The carrier formally joined the alliance in December, becoming its third African member.

The addition of Ethiopian expands Star's network in East, central and West Africa and brings with it 23 new destinations to its network. These include Chad, Djibouti and Niger. The carrier joins Star's existing partners in the region, EgyptAir and South African Airways.

"We have taken a large step forward in completing our African strategy," says Star Alliance outgoing chief executive Jan Albrecht. He says as a result of Ethiopian joining, Star now offers its passengers "the widest choice of flights connecting to, from and within Africa" out of the three global alliances. Star's African coverage now extends to 750 daily flights to more than 110 destinations in 48 countries.

Star Allliance partner Air China is looking to use these hubs to expand into what it sees as a promising market between Asia and Africa. Chairman Kong Dong says he expects his airline to launch direct routes to the continent in the next year or two.

Ethiopian is similarly effusive about the potential of this fledgling market and intends to develop further routes between Africa and Asia. Ethiopian's chief executive Teowolde Gebremariam says developing routes and frequencies between the two continents was the airline's principal growth objective.

He adds the Ethiopian flag carrier is studying possible routes to Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Seoul and will use its soon-to-be delivered Boeing 787s to open these routes and existing destinations in Asia. Ethiopian will take delivery of the first of ten 787s, which marked its debut appearance in Africa at the accession ceremony, in 2012.

Ethiopian Airlines To Buy 5 More DreamLiner Airplanes from Boeing

CEO of Ethiopian Airlines, Tewolde Gebre-Mariam, disclosed that in line with the airlines major expansion activities it is talking with Boeing management to purchase 5 787-8 Dream liners, according to the Reporter.

Ethiopian Airlines ordered 10 Dream liners in 2005 making it the first amongst African airlines to purchase the latest of Boeing airplanes

On Sunday, December 11, Capitan Desta Zeru took the Dream liner on an inaugural flights around the city of Addis Ababa twice and landed in Bole international airport in view of a large crowd including representatives of media, Ethiopian Airlines staff and government officials. The celebratory event hosted by Ethiopian Airlines gathered guests together for a press release which was held in the expansive quarters of the Dream Liner where there was a surprise visit by the country's First lady Azeb Mesfin.

Ethiopian Airlines plans to increase the number of its aircraft

A team from Airbus led by Mr. Francois Cognard, Vice President for sales, Middle East and North Africa, said to be promoting the Airbus A330 aircraft to Ethiopian Airlines, the flag carrier of Ethiopia, according to sources.

Aircraft manufacturers hold discussions with carriers as a matter of course said Cognard declining to comment on any ongoing negotiations between Airbus and Ethiopian Airlines.

Ethiopian Airlines plans to increase the number of its aircraft form 47 to 112 according to its Vision 2025 strategy. The airline will need to acquire a number of wide body aircraft including the Dreamliner aircraft that have been on order since 2005 according to an independent aviation analyst.

Managing different fleets of aircraft may be a challenging task but Ethiopian Airlinesis considering the Airbus A330 as an option explained sources.

It is to be remembered that Ethiopian Airlines and the Boeing management are in discussions for the purchase of 5 more 787 Dreamliner aircraft according to Tewolde Gebre Mariam CEO of the airlines.

The move is part of Ethiopian Airlines’ expansion project he said. Ethiopian Airlines ordered 10 Dreamliner aircraft in 2005 and is expecting delivery of the first lot in June of this month after repeated delays.

The Boeing the 'Dream Tour' organized by Boeing to promote the Dreamliner aircraft made a stop in Addis last Sunday.
Capitan Desta Zeru flew the Dreamliner twice around Addis Ababa and landed at Bole International Airport. The Dreamliner was welcomed by government officials, Ethiopian Airlines staff, media representatives and invited guests.

Ethiopian Airlines joins Star Alliance

Star Alliance welcomed its third African carrier today, at a joining ceremony held at Addis Ababa’s Bole International Airport.

The membership of Ethiopian Airlines means the alliance has “taken a large step forward in completing [its] Africa strategy,” said Jaan Albrecht, Star Alliance’s CEO.

The addition of the alliance’s 28^th airline extends its network to cover more than 110 destinations in 48 countries in Africa.

Tewolde Gebremariam, Ethiopian Airlines’ CEO, said: "It is another historical milestone for Ethiopian to join this most prestigious and longest serving Alliance in the world.

"This day will remain colourfully marked in our history book. It is in line with our efforts to lay a strong foundation for the airline."

Ethiopian Airlines Shows Star Alliance Logo

The flag carrier of Ethiopia, the Ethiopian Airlines, is showing the Logo of star alliance on all its aircraft. Star Alliance will officially welcome Ethiopian airlines in ceremony to held on December 13 in Addis Ababa.

The ceremony is expected to be attended by executives of the Star Alliance and CEOs from the member airlines.

Ethiopian Airlines will be able to access 21,410 daily flights to 189 countries as part of an existing network consisting of 4382 aircraft, 409,152 employees and 652.24 million passengers per annum and 160.3 billion US dollars in sales revenue.

Ethiopia will increase its traffic flow as part of the alliance with pre-arranged domestic flight discount packages for passengers traveling from Star Alliance networks.

Ethiopian Airlines will standardize the services it offers to that of other members of the network to ensure seamless service across the member airlines of the Star Alliance.

Ethiopian Airlines is being mentored on joining the group by Lufthansa.

In related news Boeing has once again postponed its delivery of the Dreamliner aircraft. The aircraft manufacturer had already postponed its original delivery schedule to March of next year.

Ethiopia placed the order for ten Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft worth 1.5 billion US dollar in 2005, to be delivered in 2008-2010.

Boeing has launched the Boeing Dream Tour to promote the Dreamliner aircraft. It is expected that the tour will make a stop in Addis Ababa for a demonstration and test flight on December 11.

The tour will cover six countries in Africa, the Middle East and Asia.