Ethiopian Purchases 10 Pilot Training Jets and a Simulator - 06 August, 2010
Ethiopian Airlines is pleased to announce that it has signed a purchase agreement with Diamond Aircraft Industries GmbH of Austria for ten DA40NG pilot training aircraft and one D-SIM-40 stimulator. The aircraft will be equipped with the new Austro Engine AE300 power plant.
Ethiopian Airlines CEO Mr. Girma Wake and Diamond Aircraft Industries' CEO Mr. Christian Dries signed the agreement on July 29, 2010. The total cost of the aircraft and simulator are valued at 3.7 million Euros at list price. The aircraft will be delivered in eight months time from the date of the agreement and the first four aircraft are scheduled to be delivered in November 2010.
According to the CEO Mr. Girma the decision to purchase the equipment was based on the airlines mission statement and core values to provide the highest training standards by investing on world class training equipments. He added, "The recent order will enable us to maintain our on-going training to the highest international level for our cadet flight crews."
Backed by industry reputation of over 60 years, Ethiopian Airlines Aviation Academy has become a powerful source of the African aviation training. The Academy is committed to developing and providing a competent workforce for Ethiopian Airlines in particular and the aviation industry for the region in general. The academy runs concurrent training and development programs covering pilots, cabin crew, technicians and conducts comprehensive courses in marketing and leadership management.
About Ethiopian
Ethiopian Airlines, one of the largest and fastest growing airlines in Africa, made its maiden flight to Cairo in 1946. With the recent addition of flight services to Pointe Noire, Ethiopian provides dependable services to 39 cities in Africa and a total of 59 international destinations spanning throughout four continents.
Ethiopian won the NEPAD Transport Infrastructure Excellence Awards 2009 on November 25, 2009 and "Airline of the Year" award from the African Airlines Association (AFRAA) on November 24, 2009, bringing the total Awards honored since January 2009 to five.
In August, 2008, Ethiopian won "the 2008 Corporate Achievement Award” of Aviation & Allied Business for setting the pace towards the development and growth of the African aviation industry.
Ethiopian is also the first African carrier to win the 2008 Brussels Airport Company Award in recognition of its distinguished long haul operations witnessed through the introduction of new routes, new products, and close cooperation with Brussels Airport in marketing activities.
Ethiopian was the winner of the ‘2008 Best Airline in Africa Award’ at the African Travel Award ceremony in Lagos, Nigeria, for its excellent network and convenient connections in Africa.
