Ethiopia flag carrier takes delivery of Africa’s first 787 Dreamliner

Wednesday, 15 August 2012 13:48

Ethiopian Airlines has become the first African airline to take delivery of a 787 Dreamliner from US aviation manufacturer Boeing

Tewolde GebreMariam, CEO of Ethiopian Airlines, remarked, “This airplane is going to move Ethiopian Airlines to the forefront of aviation leadership around the globe.

“We are pleased to be the first airline in the world outside Japan to receive this technologically-advanced aircraft,” he added. “We have been waiting for this airplane and now that we officially have it and will show it to the world, I can say with pride, it was worth the wait.”

The 787 Dreamliner has been marketed by Boeing as a more efficient alternative to similar competitor aircraft due to its light-weight components and aerodynamic features.

Boeing Commercial Airplanes vice president of sales for Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, Van Rex Gallard, described the delivery of the aircraft as a “new beginning” in the 65-year partnership between Ethiopian Airlines and Boeing.

Upon delivery, Ethiopian Airlines will fly the aircraft to Washington DC, before it make its inaugural trip to Africa and its first revenue flight from Washington Dulles International Airport to Bole Addis Ababa International Airport in the Ethiopian capital.

Ethiopian Airlines, who was also the first African airline to operate a Boeing 777-200LR and order the US firm’s 777 Freighter, has nine more 787 Dreamliners remaining on order.