Ethiopian - 2nd Star Alliance Member to Operate the Dreamliner - 22 August, 2012
Ethiopian Airlines becomes the second Star Alliance member, next to All Nippon Airlines, to fly the B787 Dreamliner.
Ethiopian Airlines took delivery of its Dreamliner in Seattle on August 14, 2012 and became the first airline outside of Japan to operate this game changing Aircraft. Ethiopian Dreamliner, named "Africa First", touched down on the African soil landing at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport on August 17, 2012.
The next day, Ethiopian 1st Dreamliner, made its maiden flight in Africa with a Dream Tour to Mount Kilimanjaro with VIP passengers on board. The Dream Tour was a start of rotating Africa destinations.
Ethiopian 1st Dreamliner will fly to rotating in African destinations such as Mombassa, Harare, Lusaka, Nairobi, Entebbe, Lagos, Johannesburg, Abuja, Malabo, Douala, Lomé, Accra, Maputo, Luanda as well as to Dubai, Mumbai, Rome, London and Frankfurt.
Once Ethiopian takes delivery of its 2nd Dreamliner, in mid-September, the aircraft will operate on an Addis – Washington route.
Ethiopian joined the Star Alliance, the biggest airline alliance in the world, in December 2011. Passengers can now enjoy the ultimate travel experience on board Ethiopian 1st Dreamliner primarily to African destinations.
About Ethiopian
Ethiopian Airlines, the fastest growing airline in Africa, made its maiden international flight to Cairo in 1946 and now the Airline provides dependable services to 69 international destinations spanning four continents.
Ethiopian is proud to be a Star Alliance Member. The Star Alliance network is the leading global airline network offering customers convenient worldwide reach and a smoother travel experience. The Star Alliance network offers more than 21,555 daily flights to 1,356 airports in 193 countries.
Ethiopian is a multi-award winner for its commitment and contributions towards the development and growth of the African aviation industry and in recognition of its distinguished long-haul operations enhanced by the introduction of new routes and products. Recently, Ethiopian won gold in the African Airline of the Year 2011/2012 Awards organized by the African Aviation News Portal. Ethiopian also received the 2011 AFRAA award for being consistently profitable over the years and has won the "AFRICAN CARGO AIRLINE OF THE YEAR 2011 Award” for its excellence in air cargo. Ethiopian also won the NEPAD Transport Infrastructure Excellence Awards 2009 and "the Airline of the Year 2009 Award" from the African Airlines Association (AFRAA).
With its acquisition of and firm orders for several new modern fleet, the airline is well positioned to pursue aggressively the implementation of its 2025 strategic plan to become the leading aviation group in Africa.
