Ethiopian Airlines Dreamliner to fly JHB route
2012-05-24 10:56
Ethiopian Airlines will become the first African carrier to operate the new Boeing 787 Dreamliner later this year in August, according to BreakjngTravelnews.com.
An order for ten 787 Dreamliners, placed in February 2005, confirmed its
emergence as a regional leader. Initially Dreamliners will be used on
the Addis Ababa-Johannesburg route during the day, while at night they
will operate travel between Addis Ababa and the Chinese city of
Guangzhou. This reflects one of the carrier’s key aims to becoming the gateway between the emerging powers of Asia in the east
and the mineral rich markets of Africa to the west.
“All of Ethiopia is excited about the delivery of our first Dreamliners and the whole country can be proud of being the first in all of Africa to receive this game-changing airplane,” airline chief executive Tewolde Gebremariam
“Taking this step forward before so many other airlines is a true testament to our drive to be the aviation leader in Africa and beyond.”
Now one of the largest and fastest growing airlines in Africa, Ethiopian Airlines made its maiden international flight, to Cairo, in 1946. Six decades later, with the latest addition of services to Seychelles, Ethiopian provides dependable departures to 65 international destinations spanning four continents. A Star Alliance member, Ethiopian is also a multi-award winner for its contributions to the development of the African aviation industry.
“If you draw a line between India, Brazil and Africa, we are in the middle,” Gebremariam said in a recent interview. “We have to take advantage of that and grow our market in order to survive.”
Pressure from the domestic government, which has said it can offer no support should the airline encounter economic difficulties, has also offered a spur to development.
Following are the top 7 orders for the game-changing airplane - made primarily from
composite materials, the Boeing 787 Dreamliner is the first mid-size airplane
capable of flying long-range routes and will allow airlines to open new, non-stop
routes preferred by the traveling public. As a result of innovative
technologies, the airplane offers unparalleled operating economics, fuel
efficiency and passenger comfort. More than 870 787s have been ordered by 60
airlines, a testament to the airplane's unique capabilities.
1. All Nippon Airlines 55
2. Qantas Airlines 50
3. United Airlines 50
4.Japan Airlines 45
5. Etihad Airways 41
6. Air Canada 37
7. Quatar Airlines 30
