Category Archives: Ethiopian Airlines

Ethiopian Airlines launches historic cargo route at MIA

(PRNewsfoto/Miami International Airport)

On August 29, Ethiopian Airlines launched the first of two weekly freighter flights between the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa and Miami, creating the first-ever cargo-only route between the African continent and Miami International Airport. The scheduled flights will operate on a route that includes intermediate stops in Spain, Colombia and Belgium on inbound and outbound services. All flights will utilize Boeing 777-200LRF freighter aircraft.

Ethiopian’s announcement is the latest milestone in MIA’s strategic plan to expand into new global markets, adding to the synergies created by its extensive cargo network throughout Latin America and the Caribbean.

During 2017, TACA Peru began four weekly freighter flights from five South American cities; Mexico-based Aeronaves TSM commenced 10 weekly freighter flights from Cancun; and Qatar Airways launched two weekly cargo flights from Doha, with intermediate stops in Luxembourg, Sao Paulo, Buenos Aires, Quito, and Liege.

In 2018, Southern Air began weekly all-cargo service from Hong Kong via Anchorage; Turkish Cargo launched a second weekly frequency from Istanbul; and Polar Air Cargo launched direct Tokyo freighter service.

Ethiopian Airlines issued this short statement:

Ethiopian Airlines, the largest Aviation Group in Africa and SKYTRAX certified Four Star Global Airline, is pleased to announce that it commenced twice weekly freighter service to Bogota, Colombia on August 29, 2018. The cargo service will depart from Zaragoza (Spain) and will fly to Bogota with a stopover in Miami, using the Boeing 777 freighter aircraft.

Photo: MIA.

Ethiopian Airlines helps to launch Chadian Airways

Ethiopian Airlines, the largest Aviation Group in Africa and SKYTRAX certified Four Star Global Airline, is pleased to announce that it has finalized agreements with the Government of Chad for the launch of Chad national carrier, Chadian Airways.

Ethiopian has 49 percent stake in the joint venture while the Government of Chad retains 51 percent.

The new Chad national carrier is planned to go into operation as of October 1, 2018.

Photo: Ethiopian Airlines.

Joint statement at the signing of the shareholders agreement between the Industrial Development Corporation and Ethiopian Airlines for the establishment of a new Zambia Airways

We, the Group Chief Execntive Officer of the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), Mr. Mateyo C. Kaluba, and the Group Chief Execntive Officer of Ethiopian Airlines (ET), Mr. Tewolde Gebremariam, held a signing ceremony on August 19, 2018 in Lusaka to mark our agreement as Shareholders of Zambia Airways.

As strategic equity partners on the national airline project of Zambia, IDC will hold 55% equity in the carrier, with Ethiopian Airlines holding 45%. The initial investment as we start-up the national carrier will be US$30 million. Obviously as we operate the airline, we will facilitate the financing necessary to support its growth. It iS expected that the new airline will operate 12 aircrafts and carry over 1.9 million passengers by 2028.

As Shareholders, we have a clear sense of the direction we need to take in order to ensure the fortunes and secure growth of the national airline. We will instill a performance-driven culture through strong corporate governance structures and make Zambia Airways commercially viable.

Zambia Airways will launch local and regional routes while the intercontinental routes including Europe, the Middle East and Asian will be added in the near future.

For Ethiopian Airlines this investment is consistent with our Vision 2025 Multiple Hubs Strategy in Africa. As an indigenous and truly Pan-African airline we believe that African carriers will only get their fair share of the aviation industry and African market through partnerships with other African carriers.

For IDC this investment represents our commitment to deepening and strengthening Zambia’s industrialization. The establishment of the national airline will Spur growth in the tourism sector and will have significant multiplier effect on job creation through the different businesses in the aviation supply chain such as hotels, restaurants, travel agencies, publisher and others.

With the Zambian Government’s drive to build transportation infrastructure from the new airports, good road networks, and now the airline, we are confident that Zambia is destined to become Southern Africa’s regional aviation and logistics hub.

We look forward to growing this partnership from strength to strength and seeing Zambia Airways take to the skies this year.

Note: The launch of the new version has been deferred to January 1, 2019.

Ethiopian Airlines registers record success in 2017/18 fiscal year

Ethiopian Airlines, Africa’s largest Airline Group, has announced that it has registered record success in the just ended 2017/18 fiscal year. In line with its 15 year strategic roadmap, Vision 2025, the airline registered historical success in financial, commercial, operational and customer service areas.

During the 2017/18 fiscal year:

Ethiopian introduced additional +14 new aircraft, more than one aircraft per month;

The airline opened 8 new international destinations, namely Geneva (Switzerland), Chicago (USA), Bahrain, Kaduna (Nigeria), Buenos Aires (Argentina), Kisangani and Mbuji-Mayi (Democratic Republic of Congo) and Nosy-Be (Madagascar);

The number of passengers carried grew by +21% topping the 10 million mark for the first time in the airline’s history and reaching 10.6 million passengers;

Freight carried grew by +18% from previous fiscal year to attain 400,339 tons;

Operating revenue grew by +43% from previous fiscal year to culminate at 89.1 billion Ethiopian birr (ETB);

Net profit stood at 6.8 billion ETB.

During the fiscal year, the airline was given for the first time in its history a 4 Star rating by SKYTRAX, the leading customer service rating organization in the airline industry, putting it on par with other global airlines. SKYRAX also recognized Ethiopian as Best Airline in Africa; Best Business Class in Africa and Best Economy Class in Africa.

Ethiopian reached and passed the 100^th aircraft in service milestone during the year, becoming the first African airline in history to do so.

Recapping the exceptional 2017/18 fiscal year performance, Mr. Tewolde GebreMariam, Group CEO Ethiopian Airlines, said:

“It was an exceptional year for Ethiopian with record performance in financial, operational, commercial and customer service areas. This historical performance is, due first and foremost, to the commitment, hard work and competence of my 16,000 colleagues with each one of them at all echelons of the company playing a critical role in this success.

I wish to thank them for their dedication, hard work and contribution in enabling our national carrier to fly high in the sky and defend the colors of our country and our continent.They are the backbone of the airline and the architects of its success.

This performance is all the more exceptional given the very tough operating and competitive environment in Africa, where jet fuel price, our main cost driver, has soared during the year and is on average 30% more expensive in Africa, our home market, than in the rest of the world, putting the continent’s carriers at a severe competitive disadvantage. This remarkable result was also achieved in the backdrop of aggressive foreign carriers’ penetration into the African market with the African airline industry collectively forecasted to loss money.

The historical performance attests the soundness of our fast, profitable and sustainable growth plan, Vision 2025. During the next 2018/19 fiscal year, we aim to further grow our network, introduce record number of modern fleet and greatly enhance the on-ground customer service at our main hub with the opening at the end of 2018 of the newly expanded and significantly upgraded airport terminals in Addis Ababa.”

Top Copyright Photo (all others by Ethiopian and Airbus): Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner ET-AOO (msn 34743) LAX (Michael B. Ing). Image: 940818.

Ethiopian aircraft slide show:

Ethiopian and DHL Global Forwarding to partner

DHL Global Forwarding, the leading international provider of air, sea and road freight services, and Ethiopian Airlines, the largest aviation group in Africa, have signed a new agreement to form a joint venture company – DHL-Ethiopian Airlines Logistics Services Ltd., to build the Leading Cargo Logistics provider JV company in Africa; the company will be based in Ethiopia and do business in the entire continent of Africa, enhancing Ethiopia’s logistics infrastructure and connections.

Ethiopian Airlines, which assumes a majority stake in this joint venture, will provide regulatory and operational support as DHL Global Forwarding establishes air, ocean, and road freight connections between Ethiopia’s main trade hubs and the rest of the world. Pramod Bagalwadi, a DHL veteran with over two decades of experience in management roles within the logistics industry, has been appointed to lead the new organization. This will be an additional portfolio for Pramod, who currently leads the Industrial Projects Team for DHL in Sub-Saharan Africa and a strategic business partner for the company in the region.

DHL Global Forwarding, the leading international provider of air, sea and road freight services, and Ethiopian Airlines, the largest aviation group in Africa, today signed a new agreement to form a joint venture company – DHL-Ethiopian Airlines Logistics Services Ltd., to build the Leading Cargo Logistics provider JV company in Africa; the company will be based in Ethiopia and do business in the entire continent of Africa, enhancing Ethiopia’s logistics infrastructure and connections.

Photo: Ethiopian Airlines.

Ethiopian Airlines lands in Asmara after 20 years

Ethiopian Airlines has made this announcement:

Ethiopian Airlines is very pleased to land in Asmara, in neighboring Eritrea, in VVIP flight led by H.E. Dr. Abiy Ahmed, Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia.

While we celebrate this beautiful day in history, we wish the best of sustainable peace, friendship and prosperity to both the Eritrean and Ethiopian peoples.

We are looking forward not only to connect Eritrea with Ethiopia but also to connect Eritrea with more than 114 international destinations in 5 continents with modern airplanes.

All photos by Ethiopian Airlines.

Ethiopian Airlines receives Africa’s first Boeing 737-8 MAX 8

Ethiopian Airlines is proud to announce that it has taken delivery of the first Boeing 737-8 MAX 8 in Africa.

The pictured MAX 8 was handed over on July 1by Boeing and arrived in the Continent on July 2, 2018 via a stop in Dublin, Ireland.

The Boeing 737-8 MAX 8 features the new Boeing Sky Interior, highlighted by modern sculpted sidewalls and window reveals, LED lighting that enhance the sense of spaciousness ultimately boosting customers’ experience. The environmentally friendly aircraft has a minimal carbon emission and consumes 15% less fuel than the 737NG.

With this delivery of the new ultra-modern aircraft, Ethiopian’s fleet of Boeing airplanes grows to 73 jets, including the 787 Dreamliner, 777, 737 MAX, 757 and 767.

Boeing issued this statement on July 2, 2018:

(PRNewsfoto/Boeing)

Boeing and Ethiopian Airlines celebrated the delivery of the first of 30 737 MAX jets for Africa’s largest and fastest-growing commercial airline.

The flag carrier of Ethiopia has long operated the efficient and reliable Boeing 737 airplane. With the MAX, Ethiopian will be able to achieve a double-digit improvement in fuel efficiency and provide passengers with a more comfortable experience.

The 737 MAX is the fastest-selling airplane in Boeing history, accumulating more than 4,500 orders to date from 99 customers worldwide.

The 737 MAX families incorporates the latest technology CFM International LEAP-1B engines, Advanced Technology winglets, the Boeing Sky Interior, large flight deck displays, and other improvements to deliver the highest efficiency, reliability and passenger comfort in the single-aisle market.

In Ethiopian’s configuration, its 737 MAX 8 will seat 160 passengers.

Top Copyright Photo (all others by Ethiopian Airlines and Boeing): Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737-8 MAX 8 ET-AVM (msn 62446) DUB (Greenwing). Image: 942621.

Ethiopian Airlines aircraft slide show:

Ethiopian Airlines takes delivery of its 100th aircraft, a Boeing 787

Ethiopian Airlines has taken delivery of its 100th aircraft, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner on June 6, 2018, once again leading the way in fleet expansion and modernization in Africa.

As part of Ethiopian Corporate Social Responsibility commitments, the new aircraft has ferried medical equipment from the Seattle-based NGO, Direct Relief, to St Paulos Hospital in Addis Ababa. The shipment includes surgical stools and other medical supplies to be used for both teaching and patient care.

Ethiopian was the first to avail jet service in the continent back in 1962, and operated the first African Boeing 767 in 1984, the first African Boeing 777-200LR in 2010, the first African Boeing 787- 8 Dreamliner and Boeing 777-200 freighter in 2012 and the first African Airbus A350 in 2016 and the first African Boeing 787-9 aircraft in 2017.

Ethiopian now operates one of the youngest and most modern 100 aircraft, with an average age of less than 5 years. Fleet modernization and expansion is one of the four critical pillars of our Vision 2025 strategic roadmap, in support of our fast expanding network, which has now reached over 110 international destinations covering 5 continents.

Video:

Ethiopian Airlines to take delivery of its 100th aircraft

Ethiopian Airlines has announced it will take delivery of its 100th aircraft, a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, on June 5, 2018.

Ethiopian has five additional Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners and 16 Airbus A350-900s on order (below).

Top Copyright Photo (all others by Ethiopian Airlines): Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner ET-AUO (msn 38778) BRU (Ton Jochems). Image: 941071.

Ethiopian Airlines aircraft slide show:

Ethiopian Airlines to fly to Indonesia

Ethiopian Airlines has announced that it will launch thrice weekly flights to Jakarta, Indonesia as of July 17, 2018 via Bangkok.

With this new serve, Ethiopian will service all 5 of the most populous countries in the world. The schedule of the new service will be as follows:

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Flight Number	Effective Date	Frequency	Depture Airport	Depture Time	Arrival Airport	Arrival Time	Subfleet
ET 0628	17-Jul-18	TUE, THU, SAT	ADD	0:00	BKK	13:20	ET 788
		TUE, THU, SAT	BKK	14:20	CGK	18:05	ET 788
ET 0629	17-Jul-18	TUE, THU, SAT	CGK	20:35	BKK	0:20	ET 788
		TUE, THU, SAT	BKK	1:45	ADD	6:15	ET 788