ETHIOPIA: Ethiopian Airlines To Order 10 More Airbus As First A350-900 Takes Shape

Ethiopian Airlines, which ordered 14 Airbus A350-900 last year, has said it plans to order at least 10 more in the next two year as its first one takes shape on the final assembly line in Toulouse, France.

The airline’s Chief Executive, Tewolde Gebremariam, said the state-owned company expects to receive the first A350-900 in May next year. He said the delivery date for the first 14 Airbus could be fast tracked to 2016-17 from the initial target of 2016-18.

“We haven’t been able to quantify the right numbers but definitely we are going to order more. At least more than 10,” Gebremariam said.

The Africa’s most profitable airline will become the first African carrier to operate an Airbus A350.

According to Air Transport World, the first A350-900 of two that will be leased from AerCap, is quickly taking shape and will arrive at Addis Ababa’s Bole International airport on “November 11 as part of its Middle East- Ethiopia demonstration flight tour”.

“The Airbus A350 XWB MSN2 will be arriving at Addis Ababa’s Bole International Airport on Nov. 11 as part of its Middle East-Ethiopia demonstration flight tour,” Airbus said.

“The Ethiopia carrier will deploy the aircraft on its expanding route network linking the East African nation with Asia and America.”

currently has 77 planes, including 13 Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners. It has placed orders for 50 planes altogether, including six more Dreamliners.