Ethiopian Takes Delivery of 1st Dreamliner

Ethiopian Airlines today took delivery of its 1st Boeing 787-800 Dreamliner dubbed “Africa First”.

The airline is the 1st in the world outside Japan and ahead of any airline in the Americas, Europe and the Middle East to operate the Dreamliner, the most technologically advanced commercial aircraft in the world. Ethiopian has placed a firm order of 10 Dreamliners and will be receiving 5 of them before December 2012.

“The addition of the Boeing 787 to our fleet will enable Ethiopian to provide unparalleled level of on-board comfort to its valued customers in Africa and beyond,” said Ethiopian Airlines Chief Executive Officer, Tewolde Gebremariam, at the ribbon cutting ceremony held this morning at in Everett, Washington. He further added: “We are proud to be the first airline in the world outside Japan to receive this ultra-modern aircraft. It is a continuation of our pioneering role in African aviation and a testimony of the solid partnership we have forged with Boeing over many decades”.
page1image10608

“Today marks not just another milestone for Boeing and Ethiopian Airlines, but a new beginning in our 65-year partnership,” said Van Rex Gallard, vice president of Sales for Africa, Latin America, & Caribbean, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “Ethiopian Airlines continues to show their strong leadership in African aviation and their growing presence around the globe. Being the first in Africa and one of the first in the world further confirms their position globally.”

The Dreamliner offers passengers greatly enhanced on-board comfort, with significantly reduced noise, higher level of humidity, the biggest windows in the sky and unique lighting system.

Ethiopian had previously announced that it would rotate its 1st Dreamliner, “Africa First”, primarily on its African routes.

After receiving its 2nd Dreamliner, Ethiopian plans to deploy the aircraft on its Washington D.C. route, starting from mid-September 2012.

       Selman TENGÜZ

   Wednesday, May 18, 2011

       Talip BÖLÜKBAŞI

   Thursday, May 19, 2011