Ethiopian Airways to receive Dreamliner aircraft from Boeing

Last Updated 14 years ago by Kenya Engineer

Ethiopian Airlines became the first in Africa to take delivery of the long awaited dreamliner aircraft. The State-run airline described as the fastest growing airline business in Africa, took delivery of the first long awaited Boeing 787 Dreamliner in August, which was named ‘First African’ on August 14, in Seattle, Washington.

 “This airplane will move Ethiopian Airlines to the forefront of aviation leadership around the globe”, said Tewolde GebreMariam, Chief executive of Ethiopian, in a statement.

Ethiopia showcased the plane in Washington DC to invited guests and members of the large Ethiopian Diaspora community; it then made its inaugural trip to Africa with its first revenue flight from Dulles International Airport on August. Celebrations were then held in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa upon arrival of the aircraft. It becomes the first airline in the world outside Japan to receive this ultra-modern aircraft.

According to the Ethiopian Airline, the first Ethiopian Dreamliner would operate on rotation basis to about 15 African destinations starting from August among them; Kilimanjaro, Mombasa, Harare, Lusaka, Nairobi, Entebbe, Lagos, Johannesburg, Abuja, Malabo, Douala, Lome, Accra, Maputo, and Luanda, Dubai, Mumbai, Rome, London, and Frankfurt are also the destinations for Ethiopian’s operation with the Dreamliner.

The plane’s maiden flight took place on a weekend, a flight near Mount Kilimanjaro on the Tanzania-Kenya border. The Boeing 787 range of aircraft provides airlines with unmatched fuel efficiency, resulting in exceptional environmental performance according to the plane’s manufacturer.

According to Boeing,the airplane uses 20 per cent less fuel than today’s similarly sized airplanes. It also travels at a similar speed as today’s fastest wide bodies, Mach 0.85. Airlines will enjoy more cargo revenue capacity.

Boeing says that composite materials make up 50 per cent of the primary structure of the 787 including the fuselage and wing.Ethiopian Airways has nine more 787 Dreamliners remaining on order.

Ethiopia, who operates an all-Boeing fleet, is the first carrier outside Japan to take delivery of a 787. United Airlines and Air India are expected to receive their first copies of the aircraft before end of this year. Kenya Airways which markets itself as the Pride of Africa, just like Ethiopian Airline is also in the race to acquire the Dreamliner fleet.