The largest air carrier group in Africa, Ethiopian Airlines, announced last week that it had placed an order for an additional ten Airbus A350-900 aircraft to expand its long-haul route network and pursue its growth strategy.
“The performance, operational and cost efficiencies we have achieved with our initial A350-900s have resulted in these additional ten aircraft order placement and thereby suffice our-expanding global network,” said CEO, Tewolde GebreMariam.
Corporate communications manager, Hanna Atnafu, stated that Ethiopian Airlines currently operates a fleet of four A350s – two of which are on lease – and noted that the A350s’ advanced technological features allowed for “unrivalled” levels of operational efficiency, a 25% reduction in fuel burn and emissions and significantly lower maintenance costs.
“We will deploy the additional aircraft on our long haul routes connecting Addis Ababa with destinations in Africa, Europe, the Middle East and Asia,” added GebreMariam.
