In an unprecedented move, Ethiopian Airlines has placed an order for five B777-200LRs from the Boeing Company and twelve A350-900s from Airbus. Ethiopian will begin taking deliveries of the B777-200LR in October 2010 and the A-350-900 in 2017.

The order for the five B777-200LRs is valued at $ 1.3 billion and the twelve A-350-900s at $2.9 billion, both based on list price. The B777-200LR will be powered by General Electric GE90-115 engines while the A-350-900 will be powered by Trent XWB-84.

Mr. Girma Wake, the CEO of Ethiopian Airlines, signed a definitive agreement with Boeing’s Sales Director for the Middle East and Africa, Mr. Skip H. Thompson for the purchase of the five B777-200LR. Mr. Girma also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Airbus Vice President of Sales for North Africa, Mr. Francois Cognard for the acquisition of twelve A350-900s at Ethiopian head quarters last week.

The new purchase of aircraft from Boeing and Airbus is made in line with Ethiopian’s fast growth strategy in which it is predicated that the fleet size would significantly increase in the next ten to fifteen years. 

Ethiopian Airlines has been one of the fastest growing airlines in the industry during the past five years and continues to maintain the trend firmly. Thus, in order to meet the required level of fleet size going forward, Ethiopian made the decision to diversify its fleet type among Boeing, Airbus and Bombardier aircraft.

Ethiopian Airlines has 35 new airplanes on order direct from the manufacturers. Including the recent orders of five B777-200LR and twelve A350-900, Ethiopian has also on order for ten Boeing B787 and eight Bombardier aircraft. These long-term investments will also enable Ethiopian to operate one of the youngest and greenest fleet in Africa and provide more efficient and better service to its customers. 

Presently, Ethiopian operates 34 aircraft, comprising of ten B767-300ER, eight B757-200ER, two B757-260 F, two B747F, one MD-11F, five B737-700, one B737-800 and five Fokker 50 aircraft.