Ethiopian First Dreamliner Enters Paint Shop Ahead of Delivery - 16 July, 2012
Ethiopian is pleased to announce that its Boeing 787 Dreamliner is in the final stages of preparation for delivery in August 2012. The first Ethiopian Dreamliner left the Boeing assembly plant in Seattle, Washington and headed to San Antonio, Texas on Thursday, July 12, 2012 to be painted in Ethiopian livery.
The Ethiopian Dreamliner, having conducted its first test flight on Monday, July 9, 2012, will stay in San Antonio for 12 days. After being painted with Ethiopian logo, the Dreamliner will fly back to Seattle where Ethiopian will take delivery in early August.
Ethiopian is proud to be the first in Africa to fly this much awaited, state-of-the-art aircraft, and is pleased to offer its passengers the ultimate travel experience on board this aircraft.
"Ethiopian has always been a customer-focused and market driven airline and we continually invest in the latest technology such as the Dreamliner. Today we are operating the youngest fleet in Africa. With the addition of the Dreamliner, we are very proud that Ethiopian will be the first airline to offer this ultimate experience to passengers in Africa and the rest of the world." said Ato Tewolde Gebremariam, CEO of Ethiopian.
Passengers on this aircraft will enjoy enhanced in-flight facilities such as an interior environment with higher humidity which increases comfort and convenience. Moreover, the Dreamliner will have the largest passenger windows in the sky. High ceilings and unique lighting will also enhance passenger tranquility and reduce fatigue.
Ethiopian, the fastest growing airline in Africa, is continuously striving to enhance its customers’ travel experience with a fast expanding network and the introduction of new aircraft. In the current Ethiopian fiscal year alone, Ethiopian will enter into service 14 additional new aircraft, including five ultra-modern B787 Dream liners and three B737-800s with Sky Interior.
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 aircraft and its fast expanding network, the airline is well positioned to become the leading aviation group in Africa, per its Vision 2025 strategic roadmap.
