Ethiopian Airlines and Boeing recently celebrated the 10th anniversary of the first 787 Dreamliner delivery. Ethiopian Airlines was the first airline on the continent to take delivery of the 787 and today operates a combined fleet of twenty-seven 787-8s and 787-9s that play an integral role in its long-haul fleet.
Mesfin Tasew, Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO, said: “We are glad to mark a decade since we ushered in the first 787 Dreamliner into Africa, building on our pioneering role in African aviation. The 787 has been instrumental in expanding our long and medium-haul flights and redefining on-board comfort for our passengers thanks to its advanced technology and remarkable cabin features.”
According to Boeing, since the delivery of the first 787 in 2011, over 80 airlines worldwide have used the Dreamliner to open over 335 new non-stop connections worldwide.
Omar Arekat, vice president of Sales and Marketing, the Middle East and Africa, Boeing Commercial Airplanes, said: “The incredible versatility of the 787 Dreamliner has played a vital role in helping Ethiopian Airlines become Africa’s largest airline. For more than 75 years, we have partnered with Ethiopian to help them build a great airline using the world's most modern, efficient, comfortable, and sustainable products including the 787.”