Leading well managed national carrier, Ethiopian Airlines, has become the first on the continent to receive and operate the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner.
The airline remains the most capitalized, largest and most profitable airline group in Africa.
The Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner is the second member of the technologically advanced, ultra-comfortable, fuel-efficient and environment-friendly 787 family that Ethiopian will be receiving.
In a terse statement issued on Thursday in Accra, Ghana by the Manager Corporate Communications, Mrs. Hanna Atnafu, she said the airline was the first in the world outside Japan to receive and operate the B787-8 back in August 2012.
While noting that both the B787-8 and B787-9 offer superior and unmatched on-board comfort considering their unique features such as the biggest windows in the sky, high ceiling, less noise, distinctive lighting, higher air humidity as well as 20 percent less fuel, old and new customers will have enough to relive and enjoy.
The B787-9 was 20 feet or 6 meters longer than the 787-8 and has more passenger capacity with 315 seats and more cargo space.
In his remarks, Group CEO Ethiopian Airlines, Mr Tewolde GebreMariam, said “Continuing our legacy of pioneering aviation technology in Africa, we are proud to celebrate yet another first with the introduction of the cutting-edge B787-9 into our young and fast growing fleet.”
“The B787 was their core fleet with 20 aircraft in service and their investment in latest technology aircraft such as the B787 and A350, which makes them among the very few airlines in the world to simultaneously operate these two most cutting edge airplanes.
“It was part and parcel of their Vision 2025 strategy and their commitment to their esteemed customers to offer the ultimate on-board comfort.
“We will continue to invest in latest technology aircraft with the view to avail to our customers the best possible travel experience,” GebreMariam noted.
Business Hilights gathered that Ethiopian Airlines currently flies to more than 100 international destinations in five continents using 93 most modern and youngest fleet, 20 of which are B787 Dreamliner, deployed on its long haul routes. It was back in 2011 that Ethiopian took delivery of its B 787 Dreamliner fleet.
Only recently, the airline was very smart enough to quickly react to a rumour that trended, saying it is secretly closing in on buying Arik Air through the back door and without shareholders knowledge.
