Toulouse: The addition of the A350-1000 passenger plane to Ethiopian Airlines represents a significant leap forward in Ethiopian journey to set new standards in Africa’s aviation industry, Ethiopian Air Force Commander and Chairperson of the Ethiopian Airlines Group Management Board, Lieutenant General Yilma Merdasa, underscored. Ethiopian Airlines, the biggest carrier in Africa, received the first A350-1000 passenger plane in Africa named: ‘Ethiopia: Land of Origins’ from Airbus company in a ceremony held in Toulouse, France.
According to Ethiopian News Agency, on the occasion, Chairperson of the Airlines, Lieutenant General Yilma, stated that Ethiopia is now undergoing a comprehensive reform and transformation guided by a socioeconomic growth strategy. ‘With our mission at the Ethiopian Airlines, we aim to connect Africa to the rest of the world and support the continent’s economic growth,’ he emphasized.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, in his address to the parliament last week, disclosed that Ethiopia has al
ready embarked on building a mega airport. This new airport is projected to have the capacity to serve 130 million passengers each year, which is more than four times the current capacity of Bole International Airport. The Premier also indicated that Ethiopian Airlines has ordered 124 new modern planes, a growth trajectory that is expected to continue universally.
The delivery of Africa’s first Airbus A350-1000 is now considered a historical milestone for Ethiopian Airlines. During the handover ceremony, Lieutenant General Yilma reiterated that the addition of the A350-1000 passenger plane represents a significant leap forward in Ethiopian journey to set new standards in Africa’s aviation industry, highlighting Ethiopian role in expediting economic integration on the continent.
CEO of Ethiopian Airlines, Mesfin Tasew, stated that the airline has been at the forefront of the aviation industry in Africa for nearly eight decades. ‘For close to 8 decades, we have been investing continuously in cutting-edge tech
nologies, innovations, and state-of-the-art aircraft to ensure that the company provides the best possible services to its passengers while maintaining a competitive position in the fast-evolving global market,’ he said.
General Manager of Airbus International, Wouter van Wersch, expressed his company’s strong desire to continue collaborating with Ethiopian Airlines, remarking, ‘We are proud to stand beside Ethiopian Airlines, a leader not only in Africa’s aviation but also on the global stage.’ The A350-1000, renowned for its fuel efficiency and advanced technology, is the largest variant of the world’s most modern passenger aircraft. This acquisition aligns with Ethiopian commitment to providing exceptional travel experiences and expanding its global network.
Ethiopian Airlines is committed to achieving an annual revenue of 25 billion USD and transporting approximately 67 million passengers by 2035. To support this goal, the airline is investing in new aircraft and expanding its international network, sol
idifying its status as a globally competitive airline and a flag carrier for the African continent.