Ethiopian Airlines, which also operates daily flights into Lagos, has taken delivery of Africa’s first Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
The 787, which so far is operated only by two Japanese airlines, is Boeing most advanced plane. It is made out of lighter, composite material-50 percent of the plane is carbon fibre, allowing airlines to save on fuel costs.
The Airline says the aircraft will first be used around routes on the Continent. It added that the Plane’s maiden flight is to carry 250 select customers and VIPs, who will fly around Mount Kilimanjaro on the Tanzania-Kenya border.
“We are really excited to become the first carrier in Africa, Europe, Americas and Middle East to operate this modern aircraft,” Ethiopian Airlines chief executive, Tewolde Gebremariam, said.
Ethiopian Air will put the 787 on its African routes first on Kenya, Nigeria, Uganda, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe before it flies to other international destinations, such as Washington, D.C.
“This is a game-changer aircraft. It will completely change how people travel across the globe. Not only will we enjoy a 20 percent reduction in fuel cost, it is environmentally friendly with less carbon emission than any other similarly sized aircraft,” Tewolde said.
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