ADDIS
ABABA, Ethiopia, March 5,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] and
Ethiopian Airlines announced today an agreement for the East
African airline to purchase eight 777-9 passenger airplanes and the
potential for up to 12 additional jets.
Ethiopian Airlines' selection of 777-9 jets positions the
carrier as the first 777X customer in Africa and builds on its landmark 2023 order
for 11 787 Dreamliner and 20 737 MAX airplanes to modernize and
grow its fleet.
"We are pleased to continue setting the trend in African
aviation by adopting cutting-edge technologies to enhance our
services and customer satisfaction. Improving our operational
performance and commitment to environmental sustainability, the
777-9 offers more flexibility, reduced fuel consumption and carbon
emissions," said Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO Mr. Mesfin Tasew. "We are grateful to Boeing for
their long-standing partnership and support, and we eagerly
anticipate flying the 777-9 across the African skies and
beyond."
Based on the 777 and with advanced technologies from the 787
Dreamliner family, the 777-9 features new carbon-fiber composite
wings and engines that will enable the airplane to achieve 10%
better fuel efficiency and operating costs than the
competition. The 777-9 will support Ethiopian Airlines' plans
to grow and renew its fleet in size, range and passenger and cargo
capacity to reach high-demand markets in Africa, Asia,
Europe and North America.
"Ethiopian Airlines marks yet another first in our longstanding
partnership by selecting the 777-9 to be the flagship of its
growing fleet," said Brad McMullen,
Boeing senior vice president of Commercial Sales and Marketing.
"Building on a relationship that goes back 75 years, we deeply
value the unwavering trust and confidence Ethiopian Airlines puts
in our airplanes."
Boeing airplanes make up more than half of Ethiopian Airlines'
current fleet, including 29 787 Dreamliners, 20 777s, three 767s,
27 Next-Generation 737s and 15 737 MAX jets. Ethiopian Airlines and
Boeing continue to explore opportunities to further develop the
country's aerospace industry, including support for Ethiopian
Airlines' MRO capabilities, industrial development, training
capabilities at the Ethiopian Aviation University and STEM
education, as well as equipping the Ethiopian Museum of Science
with aerospace exhibits.
Boeing's Commercial Market Outlook forecasts Africa's annual air traffic growth at more
than 7% through 2042 ─ the third-highest growth rate among global
regions and above the global average of approximately 6%. Providing
growth opportunities for airlines and offering enhanced features
for passengers, with a range of 13,510 km (7,295 nautical miles),
the 777-9 enables flights from Addis
Ababa to as far as Seattle
in the U.S.
About Boeing
As a leading global aerospace company,
Boeing develops, manufactures and services commercial airplanes,
defense products and space systems for customers in more than 150
countries. As a top U.S. exporter, the company leverages the
talents of a global supplier base to advance economic opportunity,
sustainability and community impact. Boeing's diverse team is
committed to innovating for the future, leading with
sustainability, and cultivating a culture based on the company's
core values of safety, quality and integrity. Join our team and
find your purpose at boeing.com/careers.
About Ethiopian
Ethiopian Airlines Group
(Ethiopian) is the fastest-growing airlines brand globally and
the continent's largest airline brand. In its seventy-seven years
of successful operations, Ethiopian, the fastest growing airline,
has become one of the continent's leading carriers, unrivalled in
efficiency and operational success. In addition to its main hub in
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, it is also
pursuing its multi-hub strategy through a hub in Lomé, Togo with ASKY, in Lilongwe, Malawi with Malawi Airlines and in
Lusaka, Zambia with Zambia
Airways. Ethiopian commands the lion's share of the African
passenger and cargo network operating the youngest and most modern
fleet to more than 150 domestic and international passenger and
cargo destinations across five continents. Ethiopian's fleet
category consists of ultra-modern and environmentally friendly
aircraft such as Boeing 737s, 777s, 787s, Airbus A350-900 and
Bombardier Dash 8-400 double cabin with an average fleet age of
seven years. In fact, Ethiopian is the first airline in
Africa to own and operate most of
these aircraft. Having achieved its strategic plan (Vision 2025)
ahead of time, Ethiopian is currently implementing a 15-year
strategic plan called Vision 2035 that will see it become one of
the top 20 most competitive and leading aviation groups in the
world by providing safe, secured, market driven and customer
focused Passenger and Cargo Transport and Logistics, Aviation
Training, Airport Management and Ground Services, MRO and Aerospace
Manufacturing and Travel and Tourism Services. As a
multi-award-winning airline, Ethiopian has been the champion in
various coveted awards including Skytrax's 'Best Airline in Africa
Award' for six consecutive years among others. The airline has been
a Star Alliance member since 2011
and has been registering more than threefold growth in the past 10
years. For more at: www.ethiopianairlines.com
Contact
Nadine Fanous
+971-56-422-9051
nadine.fanous@boeing.com
Boeing Media Relations
media@boeing.com
Ethiopian Airlines
(251-11)517-8913/8165/8907
CorporateCommunication@ethiopianairlines.com
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SOURCE Boeing