Tag Archives: Ethiopian Airlines

Ethiopian achieves major MRO breakthrough with first Airbus A350-900 full strip and paint program in Africa

Ethiopian Airlines, the leading carrier in Africa and one of the fastest-growing airline brands globally, is proud to announce the successful completion of Africa’s first full strip-and-paint program of the Airbus A350-900 aircraft on two of its aircraft, marking a significant advancement in Ethiopian MRO’s capacity, technical expertise, and commitment to operational excellence. This achievement marks yet another milestone following the recent development of full strip-and-paint capabilities on the Boeing 787 fleet composite painting capability.

As one of the leading aircraft maintenance service providers in the continent and the Middle East, Ethiopian MRO has been offering top-notch aircraft maintenance services, including advanced aircraft and aircraft parts painting and coating solutions through its modern paint shop and state-of-the-art dedicated paint hangar for nearly six decades, serving not only Ethiopian Airlines’ own fleet but also third-party customers.

Currently, Ethiopian Airlines possesses comprehensive in-house aircraft painting and specialized multi-layer coating capabilities on both advanced composite and aluminum airframes, across its entire fleet, enabling the airline to efficiently handle painting and coating projects using highly advanced application methods like High-Volume Low-Pressure (HVLP) and electrostatic systems spraying.

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Shaping Africa’s New Aviation Gateway: The Bishoftu International Airport

Ethiopian Airlines made this announcement:

Ethiopia is taking a bold step towards reshaping Africa’s aviation landscape with the development of the Bishoftu International Airport (BIA), a flagship greenfield project envisioned as a continental aviation hub set to serve Ethiopia and the broader African region.

Located about 40 kilometers southwest of Addis Ababa, the new airport is designed to ease growing capacity constraints due to strong traffic at the existing Addis Ababa Bole International Airport and position Ethiopia as a key player in both regional and global aviation.

The project will adopt a phased approach, with infrastructure scaled in line with demand growth and operational requirements. Phase one, valued at approximately USD 12.5 billion, is expected to be completed by 2030 and will accommodate up to 60 million passengers annually. When fully developed, BIA will have the capacity to handle 110 million passengers annually, making it the largest airport in Africa and a powerful catalyst for trade, tourism and regional investment.

Ethiopian Airlines Group (EAG), the project sponsor, is steering the initiative with support from the African Development Bank (AfDB) as the appointed Initial Mandated Lead Arranger (IMLA) and Dar Al-Handasah Consultants (Dar) and KPMG as the project’s technical and financial advisors, respectively. Clyde & Co are the project legal advisors.

Momentum around the project continues to build. EAG has formally released the Project Information Memorandum, Financial Model and supporting documents to prospective lenders thus marking a major milestone in the progress toward financial close. Meanwhile, prequalification of EPC contractors is underway, with bid submissions expected by mid-December 2025, signaling readiness to move from planning to procurement and implementation.

The project will be featured at the upcoming Africa Investment Forum (AIF) Market Days in Rabat, Morocco, from 26-28 November 2025, where it is expected to attract interest from development financiers, commercial banks, ECAs and institutional investors to fund this project.

With its scale, ambition and strategic positioning, Bishoftu International Airport stands as a defining project for Ethiopia, and a beacon of Africa’s transformation in aviation and infrastructure.

Ethiopian Airlines strengthens its position as Africa’s largest A350 operator with order for 6 Additional A350-900s

Ethiopian Airlines, the largest airline in Africa and one of the fastest growing airline brands globally has placed a firm order for 6 additional Airbus A350-900 aircraft, further strengthening its position as the largest A350 customer in Africa. This agreement was signed at the Dubai Airshow by Mr. Mesfin Tasew, Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO and Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, Airbus EVP Sales of the Commercial Aircraft business.

Ethiopian Airlines leases two ATR 72-600 aircraft for Air Congo operations

ATR has announced the lease by Ethiopian Airlines of two brand-new ATR 72-600 aircraft, to be operated by 49%-owned Air Congo, the Democratic Republic of Congo’s national carrier. The aircraft are scheduled to enter service in February 2026.

The leasing deal follows the strategic partnership previously announced at the Farnborough International Airshow in July 2024, where ATR and Ethiopian Airlines agreed on a cooperation to develop ATR maintenance capabilities in Ethiopia. This initiative will position Ethiopian Airlines as a regional MRO (Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul) hub for ATR aircraft, serving operators across the continent.

Ethiopian Bale Robe Wako Gutu Airport Terminal Project Receives a Grand Inauguration

Ethiopian Airlines Group, the largest airline brand in Africa, and one of the fastest
growing airline network in the world, proudly announces the inauguration of the newly
built Wako Gutu Airport Terminal at Bale Robe in the presence H.E. Shimelis Abdisa,
President of the Oromia Regional State, high government officials, Ethiopian Airlines
Group executive management members and dignitaries. The new state of the art airport terminal is aimed at advancing the socio-economic and cultural interrelation between the domestic regions and beyond providing seamless domestic air transportation service.

Regarding the inauguration of the new passenger terminal, Ethiopian Airlines Group
CEO Mr. Mesfin Tasew said, “We are delighted to announce the completion of this terminal project, which brings an enhanced travel experience to our passengers flying to and from this destination. Our commitment to improving the airport experience across our domestic network drives us to invest in upgrades and renovations like this. We take great pride in delivering this state-of-the-art facility and look forward to offering our passengers an elevated level of comfort and convenience.”
Bale is among the iconic Ethiopian tourist destinations, with its proximity to one of the
most spectacular and extensive underground caverns in the world, “Holqa Sof Omar”,
famously known as the Sof Omar cave. Ethiopian Airlines’ flight to Bale Robe also plays
a crucial role in enhancing the tourism potential of the Bale Mountains National Park by
improving accessibility and promoting the region as a prime tourist destination.

Ethiopian Airlines Airbus A350-1041 F-WWXL (ET-BAW) (msn 691) TLS (Eurospot). Image: 964141.

Ethiopian Airlines continues to enhance regional connectivity, serving over 22
destinations across the country. Demonstrating its commitment to transforming domestic aviation, Ethiopian Airlines operates up to 14 weekly flights to and from Robe Wako Gutu Airport. This dedication is further highlighted by the recent inauguration of Gode Ugaas Miraad and Jinka Airports Terminals, the renovation of Addis Ababa Bole
International Airport’s Domestic Terminal, the resumption of services to Dembi Dollo
and Axum Airports, the launch of new air services to Nekemite, and the inauguration of
Bale Robe’s Wako Gutu Airport Terminal Building along with its ancillary facilities.
Since the acquisition of the Ethiopian Airports Enterprise by Ethiopian Airlines Group
as a Strategic Business Unit (SBU) in 2017, Ethiopian Airlines Group has taken over the
administrative role including construction and renovation projects of airports in the
country.

Titan Aircraft Investments and Ethiopian Airlines announce long-term dry lease agreement for three Boeing 767-300ER freighters

Titan Aircraft Investments, the joint venture between Titan Aviation Holdings, Inc. and Bain Capital Credit, has announced the placement of three Boeing 767-300ER converted freighters on long-term dry leases with Ethiopian Airlines Group.

Ethiopian Airlines is expected to take delivery of the first of these aircraft later this month, with the second delivery planned for later this year, and the third aircraft planned for 2023.

The addition of these three aircraft brings Titan Aircraft Investments’ freighter fleet to 10 aircraft, five of which are Boeing 767 converted freighters.

Ethiopian Airlines aircraft photo gallery:

Ethiopian Airlines to fly to Amman

Ethiopian Airlines has announce that it has finalized all preparations to commence a passenger flight to Amman, Jordan as of September 19, 2022.

The thrice weekly flight will be operated as per the below schedule.

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Flight Frequency Number	Departure Departure Arrival Arrival Airport time Airport Time	Sub Fleet
ET 428 Mon, Wed, Sat	ADD 22:30 AMM 02:05	737
ET 429 Tue, Thu, Sun	AMM 03:05 ADD 06:44	737

Ethiopian Airlines aircraft photo gallery:

Ethiopian Airlines becomes the first Airbus A350-1000 customer in Africa

Ethiopian Airlines Group, the flag carrier of Ethiopia, Africa’s largest airline group, has upsized four of its Airbus A350-900 on order to the largest variant of the A350 Family, the A350-1000, becoming Africa’s first customer for the aircraft.

Ethiopian Airlines has already ordered 22 Airbus A350-900s, of which 16 aircraft have been delivered. With the A350-1000 upsizing, Ethiopian Airlines’ backlog consists of four A350-1000s and two A350-900s.

The A350-1000 will increase the East African carrier’s capacity and it will be an addition to its modern wide-body fleet. The airline will benefit from a flexible, high- value Family leveraging Airbus’ unprecedented level of commonality and same type rating.

Ethiopian Airlines aircraft photo gallery:

Ethiopian Airlines orders two Dash 8-400 freighters

De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited and Ethiopian Airlines Group announced today that Ethiopian has signed a proposal for the purchase of two Dash 8-400 Freighter – Large Cargo Door (F-LCD) conversion kits. The proposal provides an option for an additional two F-LCD conversion kits. The parties are working to finalize a definitive and binding agreement.

Ethiopian to connect Washington with Lomé, Togo

Ethiopian Airlines has announced it will commence thrice-weekly passenger service to Washington Dulles via Lomé, Togo as of today, June 1, 2022.

The new flight increases the frequency of Ethiopian Airlines’ flights to Washington DC to 10 from the existing seven weekly flights it operates via Dublin. The new flight is operated with Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft as per the below schedule.