Ethiopian Airlines plans a big boost to its fleet, with multiple orders announced at the 2023 Dubai Air Show. The carrier will add both Airbus and Boeing jets to its fleet as it pursues significant growth through its Vision 2035 Strategy.
We are keen to expand our fleet size, acquiring the latest technology aircraft to offer a convenient and memorable onboard experience to our esteemed passengers. – Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO Mr. Mesfin Tasew
Big Boeing Boost
With Boeing the carrier announced its intent to take 31 new aircraft, 11 787-9 Dreamliners and 20 737 MAX 8. The contract also includes options for 15 of the twin-aisle and 21 additional MAX. The significance of the MAX order in particular, following the crash which killed 157 and ultimately resulted in the global grounding of the MAX in 2019, is hard to overstate.
The deal also confirms Boeing’s role in the retrofit of Ethiopian’s existing 787 fleet. That work will include replacement of the business class cabin with lie-flat seats from Adient Aerospace. Adient’s Ascent seat also flies on Qatar Airways 787-9 and will fly on the new Hawaiian Airlines 787s. The inflight entertainment system will also see an upgrade on the Ethiopian 787s.
Plans for Ethiopian’s 787 refresh were first tipped by PaxEx.Aero in May 2023.
Augmenting Airbus Operations
The Ethiopian long-haul fleet will also see growth with Airbus, as the carrier signed an MoU to acquire 11 new A350-900s. The deal brings Ethiopian’s A350 commitment to a total of 33 frames, including four A350-1000s expected to join the existing 20 –900s from Q3 of next year. That should total a commitment of 35 planes, not 33, so something does not add up in the overall numbers.
The carrier committed to the Thales Avant Up inflight entertainment offering for its A350-1000 fleet during the show. The AVANT Up platform features new OPTIQ 4k QLED HDR displays. It includes two Bluetooth connections and built-in Wi-Fi, allowing passengers to pair multiple devices. OPTIQ also includes in-screen USB-A and USB-C charging ports giving passengers up to 70 watts to charge their devices during the flight.
The carrier also committed earlier this summer to inflight connectivity on the A350-1000s via Inmarsat‘s GX Aviation network, now owned by Viasat. That solution will be delivered via the Airbus HBCplus program, with Safran Passenger Innovations providing the ThinKom ThinAir Ka2517 antenna kit and Astronics Modman for integration.
More news from the 2023 Dubai Air Show
- Emirates boosts long-haul fleet with mega order
- flydubai spreads its wings with 787 order
- AirBaltic to double A220 fleet
- Safran snags massive contract for Emirates fleet fittings
- Ethiopian targets major growth with Boeing, Airbus orders in Dubai
- Airbus hits 125 aircraft commitment milestone for HBCplus Ka-band connectivity
- Egyptair taps Panasonic Avionics for IFE/C on new A350 fleet
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