Ethiopian Airlines has placed an order for up to 67 Boeing aircraft as it aims to become one of the top 20 leading carriers globally by 2035.
The deal comprises firm orders for 20 737-8 jets, with an option for an additional 21, and 11 787-9 Dreamliners, with the possibility of a further 15, the companies said at the Dubai Airshow on Tuesday.
The orders are part of the Addis Ababa-based carrier's 2035 strategic road map, which include plans to double its fleet to 270 aircraft, Mesfin Tasew, group chief executive of Ethiopian Airlines Group, said.
The plan calls for the acquisition of more planes and the opening of new routes to boost operations and, consequently, the airline's bottom line, he said.
The aircraft, which are expected to be delivered from 2026 through to 2030, are on top of existing orders for 25 jets, 21 from Boeing and four from Airbus, Mr Tasew said.
“The number of aeroplanes that we are ordering today is just one step forward. We'll continue ordering more as much as it fits our fleet plan,” he said.
Ethiopian Airlines will lease Boeing 787 and Max planes while waiting for the new aircraft, after plane manufacturers' fully-booked schedules meant it could not secure earlier deliveries.
“We are still competing with various international airlines, mostly those from the Middle East and Europe, but every airline would like to grow to compete,” Mr Tasew said.
“Our goal is to develop our internal capacity to enable us to effectively compete … our vision is by 2035, we should be one of the top 20 global leading airlines.”
The African aviation market is poised for marked growth, with the continent projected to require about 1,025 aircraft over the next two decades, Boeing has previously forecast.
Of these, more than 70 per cent of commercial deliveries are expected to be single-aisle jets, it said.
Africa's overall air traffic growth is pegged at 7.4 per cent through 2042, which would be the third-highest among global regions and above the global average of 6.1 per cent, the US plane maker said.
Ethiopian Airlines, the launch customer for the Dreamliner in Africa, has been a Boeing customer for nearly 75 years, and the new agreement is expected to boost the efficiency of its fleet.
“This will enable you to continue to keep the average age of your fleet young,” said Brad McMullen, senior vice president for commercial sales and marketing at Boeing Commercial Airplanes.
Our commentary on Brexit
- Alistair Burt: Despite Brexit, Britain can remain a world power
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The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
Our commentary on Brexit
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Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
if you go
The flights
Air Astana flies direct from Dubai to Almaty from Dh2,440 per person return, and to Astana (via Almaty) from Dh2,930 return, both including taxes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Ritz-Carlton Almaty cost from Dh1,944 per night including taxes; and in Astana the new Ritz-Carlton Astana (www.marriott) costs from Dh1,325; alternatively, the new St Regis Astana costs from Dh1,458 per night including taxes.
When to visit
March-May and September-November
Visas
Citizens of many countries, including the UAE do not need a visa to enter Kazakhstan for up to 30 days. Contact the nearest Kazakhstan embassy or consulate.
Red flags
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- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
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- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
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Key figures in the life of the fort
Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.
Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.
Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.
Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae
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In 2013, The National's History Project went beyond the walls to see what life was like living in Abu Dhabi's fabled fort:
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- Sheikha Mahra and Sheikha Sabha recall their time spent in Al Hosn
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- How the fort's rise tracked Abu Dhabi's development
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