Air Lease Corporation has announced a lease agreement with Ethiopian Airlines for two new Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, both on lease for twelve years. The aircraft are scheduled for delivery in May and June 2015. “We are proud to expand our relationship with Ethiopian Airlines by placing two brand new 777-300ERs into their long haul fleet. These aircraft will enhance their intercontinental operations with leading fuel efficiency and a premier passenger experience,” said Kishore Korde, Air Lease Corporation’s Senior Vice President. “We are very happy to finalize this deal with our strong partner, Air Lease Corporation. These two new Boeing 777-300ERs are critical for our rapidly expanding non-stop long haul routes. Today, our network of 72 international destinations covers four continents through our main hub in Addis Ababa, offering the most convenient connections to passengers traveling between Africa and the rest of the world. The introduction of these two new Boeing 777s into our young and modern fleet is part of our continuing commitment to afford our customers the best possible on-board long haul experience”, said Tewolde Gebremariam, CEO of Ethiopian Airlines.
The Transportation Security Administration has postponed plans to allow small knives on US planes, according to the Coalition of Flight Attendant Unions and the Association of Professional Flight Attendants, a union at American Airlines, which were fighting the proposed changes.
TSA chief John Pistole is reported to have said in a letter to employees that the ban was to be maintained after a meeting with an aviation security panel. Unions representing flight attendants at Fort Worth-based American Airlines and Dallas-based Southwest Airlines fought the TSA’s proposal.
“The APFA is pleased that the TSA has decided to postpone this change,” said Leslie Mayo, a spokeswoman for the Association of Professional Flight Attendants at American. “We got what we wanted for now. Every day without a knife on board is a good day.”