Monday, September 26, 2011

Ethiopia Changes its Mind on Purchasing Bombardier Aircraft


The Ethiopian Airlines said it had changed its plan to purchase Bombardier aircraft.
It was reported last week that the airlines was holding talks with representatives of Bombardier, the Canadian airframer, for the purchase of additional Q400 aircraft which are known for less emission and noise.
Tewolde Gebremariam, CEO of Ethiopian said that after a series of managerial meetings the airlines had decided to conduct a market study to determine what type of aircraft it needs to buy and how many.
Last year the Ethiopian Airlines bought eight Bombardier Q400 aircraft which it deployed on its domestic and regional routes.
Bombardier says the Q400 NextGen aircraft is one of the most technologically advanced regional aircraft in the world with its enhanced cabin, lowest operating costs, low fuel burn and low emissions.
Currently, the Ethiopian Airlines operates a fleet of 47 aircraft (39 jet, all Boeing except two MD11 freighters).
According to AWAS, an Ireland-based leasing company with 34 aircraft on its order book, Ethiopian has the largest aircraft order list in Africa followed by South African Airways and Royal Air Marroc each of which has 21 aircraft on order.  
Ethiopian's rival, Kenya Airways, has 14 aircraft on order. SAA operates 55 aircraft, RAM 56 and KQ 31. The management of Ethiopian plans to increase the number of jet aircraft to 112 by 2025.
Source: The Reporter

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