Ethiopian Airlines to Buy Up to Ten Boeing 787 Dreamliners

Ethiopian Airlines has signed a preliminary agreement for up to 10 Boeing 787 Dreamliner passenger planes that will make the airline the first Africa-based operator of the all-new jetliner.

Valued at $1.3 billion at list prices, the agreement involves five firm orders and purchase rights for five more. The first plane is scheduled for delivery to Addis Ababa, the airline’s home base, in 2008. 

“You just can’t ignore how far Boeing has advanced the technology of commercial aviation with the 787 Dreamliner,” said Ethiopian Airlines CEO Ato Girma Wake. “The 787 represents the future, one in which Ethiopian Airlines will play a major part, and we view this airplane to be a cutting-edge solution to bolster our passenger service, improve our efficiencies and add to the airline’s bottom line.”

With this agreement, Boeing now has 191 announced firm orders and commitments for the 787 from 15 airlines. 

“Airlines all over the world are embracing the 787 because it provides what passengers really want: convenient, comfortable and affordable nonstop flights that take them where they want to go, when they want to go there. The 787’s advantages for passengers and airlines are unmatched by any airplane offered in the market today or in the foreseeable future,” said Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEO Alan Mulally. “We are proud of Ethiopian Airlines’ pioneering spirit and we share its goal of maintaining innovative leadership in commercial aviation”

As a member of the 787 launch customer team, Ethiopian Airlines becomes a key partner in developing the 787 family of airplanes.

Boeing’s partnership with Ethiopian Airlines dates back some 50 years. Ethiopian Airlines has long played a leading role in the development of commercial aviation on the African continent.

Among its many firsts, the carrier initiated jet service there when it added a Boeing 720B in 1963.

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