Ethiopian Airlines to be the first to operate 787 Dreamliner in Africa

The Ethiopian Airlines will be the first to operate the 787 Dream-liner in Africa, Ethiopian CEO Tewolde Gebremariam said.

While in Seattle to meet with Boeing executives to discuss delivery of the airline's first 787 Dreamliner, Tewolde took a special tour of the airline's first 787 to be delivered later this year, according to a statement Ethiopian sent to ENA on Tuesday.

The statement said Tewolde met with President and CEO of Commercial Airplanes, Jim Albaugh as well as 787 vice president and General Manager, Larry Loftis and other program leaders to talk about the airline's first delivery and to receive an update on the 787 program and production.

"All of Ethiopia is excited about the delivery of our first Dreamliner and the whole country can be proud of being the first in all of Africa to receive this game-changing airplane," the statement quoted Tewolde as saying.

Ethiopian Airlines was the first African airline to order the 787 Dreamliner when they placed their order for ten 787s in February 2005.

The airline currently operates an all-Boeing fleet of 737,757,767 and 777 airplanes in passenger service and a 757, MD11 and 747 in cargo operations.

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 flights to Abuja and Lagos cancel

More than 600 passengers travelling to Nigeria from various destinations are now stranded in Addis Ababa following the cancellation of Ethiopian Airlines flights to Abuja and Lagos since Tuesday.

The correspondent in Addis Ababa reports that the cancellation of all flights to Nigeria was as a result of the ongoing nationwide strike against the removal of oil subsidy embarked by the NLC and the TUC.

Passengers were on transit to Nigeria through Addis Ababa from China, Dubai and India among other countries.

Those stranded include men, women and children back from business and medical trips as well as some Nigerian students studying abroad.

Some of the stranded passengers said at Bole International Airport, Addis Ababa on Wednesday that they have been in Addis Ababa since Monday.

They expressed displeasure with the cancellation and many of them complained that they do not have money on them.

“We have been here since Monday, the airline is paying for our accommodation and feeding as provided by our contract with the airline, but we are tired of staying here’’, Mr Moses Aku, one of the passengers said.”

Sen. Hadi Sirika (CPC-Katsina), who was among the stranded passengers, said he was making efforts to re-route his flight and return to Nigeria as soon as possible.

They appealed to the Nigerian embassy to come to their aid as most of them have spent their money before departure.

Efforts to speak to Mrs Wogayehu Terefe, spokesman of Ethiopian Airlines in Addis Ababa was abortive as she did not respond to calls and text messages sent to her.

However, an official of the airline said, the airline decided to cancel its flights to Nigeria because there were no handlers at the airports to attend to the aircraft on arrival.

The official said on Monday one of its aircraft that landed in Lagos was left unattended for more than seven hours because of the strike.

“It is not in our interest to keep the passengers here because it is economically unwise to keep hundreds of people for many days and taking care of their hotel bills and feeding,” the official, who pleaded anonymity, said.

Mr Bulus Lolo, Nigeria’s ambassador to Ethiopia said the embassy would assist the stranded Nigerians.

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 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 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.