Ethiopian Airlines takes delivery of its first Boeing 777-300 ER via GECAS, enters service today

Boeing (Chicago) has delivered a 777-300 ER (Extended Range) jet to GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS) for lease to Ethiopian Airlines (Addis Ababa). The 777-300 ER is now the largest airplane in the Ethiopian flag-carrier’s fleet and will provide it with increased capacity and improved operating economics on key routes from its base in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa.

The pictured 777-36N ER ET-APX (msn 42101) was handed over on November 7 as scheduled.

Ethiopian’s first 777-300 ER will seat nearly 400 passengers in a two-class configuration and perfectly complements its existing fleet of six 777-200 LR (Longer Range) airplanes by providing additional capacity and flexibility on popular routes, such as Guangzhou, Washington, D.C. and Dubai.

The 777-300 ER can fly up to 7,825 nautical miles (14,490 kilometers) and is equipped with GE90-115B engines, the world’s most powerful commercial jet engine. Ethiopian’s 777-300ER also features the Boeing Signature Interior that offers wider seats, wider aisles, more headroom and more seating flexibility.

Ethiopian currently serves 76 destinations across five continents and was recently awarded African Business of the Year at the annual African Business Awards. The carrier’s partnership with Boeing stretches back over six decades, with a current fleet of nearly 50 Boeing airplanes that includes Next-Generation 737s, 757s, 767s, 777s, and 787 Dreamliners and a cargo fleet that includes 757s, 777 Freighters and a MD-11.

The airline issued this statement:

Ethiopian Airlines, the fastest growing and most profitable African airline, took delivery of the first of its four Boeing 777-300 ERs on November 7, 2013. The Boeing 777-300 ER is the largest aircraft in the airline’s fleet with 400 passengers seating capacity.

Ethiopian Boeing 777-300 ER will operate in its dense routes such as Guangzhou, Washington D.C., Dubai and Luanda. The aircraft is scheduled to serve the Addis Ababa – Luanda route three times a week, as of November 10, 2013, and three times a week on the Addis Ababa – Guangzhou route, as of November 15, 2013.

Ethiopian, which is a multi-award winning Pan-African carrier as the Passenger Choice “Best Airline in Africa” and the SKYTRAX “Best Staff Service in Africa” of 2013, will phase in three additional B777-300ERs in January 2014, May and June 2015.

Ethiopian Airlines: