PARIS AIRSHOW: Ethiopian Airlines places repeat order for 10 A350-900 aircraft

Ethiopian Airlines had a busy day at the show ordering aircraft from Airbus, Bombardier and Boeing.
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Ethiopian Airlines chief executive Tewolde GebreMariam did deals with all three of the manufacturers. 

The Star Alliance carrier has exercised options on 10 more Boeing Max 8s, taking its orders for the type to 30. It has also made provisional commitment for a pair of 777 freighters.

Tewolde also placed a follow-on order for 10 more A350-900s . Last June, Ethiopian Airlines became the first African carrier to operate the A350 when it took delivery of the first of 12 aircraft in order. Today the carrier operates a fleet of four A350s, two of which are on lease. Today's order tops-up the Addis Ababa-based carrier's fleet, enabling it to pursue its growth strategy and objectives over the coming years.

Ethiopian Airlines' A350-900s are configured in a two class layout seating 30 passengers in Business Class and 313 in Economy Class. The spacious, quiet interior and mood lighting in the cabin contribute to superior levels of passenger comfort and well-being.

"Operating the youngest fleet in the industry with modern and comfortable customer features in the cabin is one of the four pillars in our 15 years strategic road map, vision 2025, and this order placement for additional A350s is one component of this strategy. The performance, operational and cost efficiencies we have achieved with our initial A350-900s have resulted in these additional ten aircraft order placement and thereby suffice our ever-expanding global network. We will deploy the additional aircraft on our long haul routes connecting Addis Ababa with destinations in Africa, Europe, the Middle East and Asia," Tewolde said.

Ethiopian Airlines was also confirmed as the previously unidentified customer behind the order for five Bombardier Q400s announced earlier in the month. It is the fourth time the carrier has ordered the Q400 and takes its total commitments for the type to 24 aircraft, the largest of any African customer.
Gebremariam praises the turboprop’s performance and promises there will be more orders to come. “It is five now, but it is going to be 10 or more very quickly,” he says.
“We have accounts in Ethiopian. We have lawyers in Ethiopian. If it was not for them I would have ordered 10 right now.”