Ethiopian Airlines, Ethiopia’s flag carrier, will take delivery of the second lot of Bombardier Q400 Next Gen airplane in the last
quarter of 2012 it was learned.
The aircraft are expected to arrive between September and December said Esete Yeshitla, Acting Public Relations and Publications Manager with the airline.
The five remaining planes have been upgraded with bigger baggage compartments, seven business class seats, two lavatories and spacious overhead compartments and the ability to furnish hot meals.
The purchase deal for the five Q400 aircraft also includes training maintenance and a flight simulator noted Esete.Two of the five aircraft will be operated by Ethiopian Airlines while the other three will be managed by Ethiopian affiliate ASKY Airlines in Togo. Ethiopian has a 25% stake in ASKY.
It is to be remembered that Ethiopian Airlines took delivery of its first eight Bombardier aircraft in March 2010 and has since deployed the aircraft on its local and regional routes. The planes have fully met the requirements of the airline in terms of economic efficiency, performance and comfort said Tewolde Gebremariam, Chief Executive of Ethiopian when he announced the purchase of the second lot of Q400 earlier this year.
In related news Ethiopian Airlines has announced the resumption of flights to Hargeisa, capital of the Republic of Somaliland as of the June 10th. The airline will operate daily flights to Hargeisa using the Q400 aircraft offering three morning and four afternoon flights.
It is expected that resuming flights between Addis Ababa and Hargeisa will enhance trade and personal relationships between the two countries and allow convenient access to Somalia for international passengers.
Source: Capital
