EthioBlog

Ethiopian Airlines Orders Rolls-Royce Trent XWB to Power A350 XWBs

Ethiopian Airlines, the fastest growing African airline, has announced the order of Trent XWB-84 Engines at the Dubai Air show on November 15, 2009. With deliveries expected to begin in 2017, the engines are designed to power the Airbus A350 XWB aircraft at 84,000 lbs thrust. The order which is worth $540m at list price includes additional four spare engines.

Chief Executive Officer of Ethiopian Airlines, Girma Wake said, "As one of Africa’s leading airlines, we constantly endeavor to improve our international competitiveness to meet growing passenger demands. Our selection of low fuel burn Trent technology will enable us to do this in the most cost-effective way."

Metin Oktay, Vice President, Customer Business – Africa of Rolls-Royce, said, "We are delighted to welcome Ethiopian Airlines to the Trent family of customers. African airlines are continuing to invest in response to growing global customer demands. The Trent XWB, our latest Trent, will provide Ethiopian Airlines with leading edge technology which will keep costs to a minimum."

According to Rolls-royce, the Trent XWB specifically designed for the A350 XWB, is the most fuel efficient and environmentally sensitive large engine design on the market, with fuel efficiency ratings of 28% higher than pre-Trent generation engines.

Ethiopian Aviation Academy graduates 75 Maintenance Technicians

Ethiopian Aviation Academy graduated 75 Maintenance Technicians that have completed training in aircraft, avionics and power plant training on November 12, 2009. Among the graduates six are Malagasies, one is Chadian and the rest are Ethiopians.

The CEO Mr. Girma Wake awarded outstanding graduates while Mr. Tewolde G. Mariam Chief Operating Officer handed over diploma to the graduates.

During their stay at the training center, the trainees have acquired adequate theoretical and practical skills. Coupled with type rating courses, the training will enable them to maintain with ease airframe, engines and components of aircraft operated by their national carriers and customer airlines.

The graduates will bring the total number of technicians from the Center to 2,545 since its inception in February 1967. Among the total graduates of the Center 1,760 are Ethiopians and the rest 785 are nationals of different countries mainly from Africa and the Middle East.

Currently, the Ethiopian Aviation Academy has been providing training for 224 trainee technicians, out of which 49 are students from countries like Chad, Madagascar, Congo-Kinshasa, Tanzania, Liberia and Namibia.

Boeing 777-200LR Ethiopian Airlines : Image Boeing

Ethiopian Airlines Orders GE90-115B Engines to Power the Boeing 777 Fleet

Source: Ethiopian Airlines

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia - Ethiopian is pleased to announce that it has ordered GE90-115B Engines to power its five Boeing 777-200LR aircrafts including one spare engine. The announcement was made at the Dubai Air show held on November 16, 2009. The engine order is valued at more than $350 million at list price.

The CEO of Ethiopian, Ato Girma Wake said, "As a rapidly growing world class African airline, we are enhancing our reach and offering better choices to our customers through continuous expansion of our route network. Alongside the rapid growth and expansion, we continue to hold dear our social values and responsibly discharge our social obligations in protecting the environment. Our purchase of the GE engines, we believe, will be of help to us in achieving our objective and reaffirming our commitment to our corporate social responsibilities."

"Ethiopian Airlines is the first African airline to order the GE90-115B powered Boeing 777-200LR aircraft and was the first African airline to order GEnx engines for its Boeing 787 aircraft," said Kevin McAllister, Vice President and General Manager of Sales, GE Aviation. "GE Aviation is extremely proud of the trust and confidence Ethiopian Airlines has in our outstanding engine products, and we look forward to working with them to ensure successful entry into service."

Ethiopian currently operates 29 Boeing aircraft and expects deliveries of five Boeing 777s and ten 787s in 2010 and 2011 respectively. Including the recent orders for 12 A350s and eight Bombardier Q400s, Ethiopian will operate one of the youngest and greenest fleet in Africa with better comfort and efficiency.

About Ethiopian Airlines

Ethiopian Airlines, one of the largest and fastest growing airlines in Africa, made its maiden flight to Cairo in 1946.

In July 2009, Ethiopian won ‘Airline of the Year 2009’ award at African Business Award organized by the London based African Business Magazine and Common Wealth Business Council.

In August 2008, Ethiopian won the 2008 Corporate Achievement Award of Aviation & Allied Business for setting the pace towards the development and growth of the African aviation industry.

Ethiopian is also the first African carrier to win the 2008 Brussels Airport Company Award in recognition of its distinguished long haul operations witnessed through the introduction of new routes, new products, and close cooperation with Brussels Airport in marketing activities.

Ethiopian was the winner of the ‘2008 Best Airline in Africa Award’ at the African Travel Award in Lagos, Nigeria, for its excellent network and convenient connections in Africa.

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Related Links


Ethiopian Airlines confirms order for 12 Airbus A350 XWBs (Airbus)



Rolls-Royce wins $480 million deal from Ethiopian Airlines

Ethiopia announces US$10 billion hydroelectric projects


APA-Addis Ababa (Ethiopia)

Ethiopia announced on Wednesday plans to construct 10 hydro electric projects in the coming ten years which will cost the country US$ 10 billion.

The Ethiopian Electric and Power Corporation (EEPCo) said that the projects are aimed at generating over 15,000 MW.

The money needed for these projects are expected to be covered by the government, donor community and Ethiopia’s development partners.

The Chief Executive Officer of EEPCo, Mihret Debebe, said that self sufficiency in all aspects of the power sector is the basis of sustainable development.

It should be recalled that over the week end, Ethiopia inaugurated a 300 MW hydroelectric project that was fully funded by the government, which claims it is the first of its kind in Africa.

In the coming months, the country will also to inaugurate three other hydroelectric projects in which the government invested billions of dollars in collaboration with its development partners.

The finalization of these projects are expected to help Ethiopia supply power to neighbouring countries as it already signed a power supply agreement with Kenya, Sudan and Dijibouti.

The agreement is expected to be implemented in 2010.

Ethiopia will become net power exporter in the region within 10 years: Report

Source: ENA

Ethiopia will become a net power exporter within ten years, exporting to Kenya, Sudan and Djibouti, Reuters and African Press Agency reported.

Some six hydropower dam projects funded by bilateral government agreements and other financial institutions are under construction in Ethiopia. When the hydro power projects go into completion, the nation will begin power export to neighboring countries including Sudan, Djibouti and Kenya, according to the report Reuters and the Agency dispatched in connection with inauguration of the Tekeze Dam.

The Tekeze Dam has started producing 80 MW and that will rise to 300 MW. At 185 meters, the Tekeze dam is the tallest hydroelectric dam in Africa.

The report said the dam is on the country's Tekeze River and its 356 million USDs cost was fully covered by the government.

Ethiopia in September agreed deals with another two Chinese firms, China Gezhouba Group Company and Sinohydro Corporation, to build two huge hydropower projects.

According to the report EEPCo has also signed a preliminary agreement with the Hydrochina Company for the construction of two wind farms to be reserved for emergency power shortages.

Landlocked Ethiopia is a country with mainly high mountainous landscape which provides a vast hydroelectric potential up to an estimated 40, 000 MW.

The report said Ethiopia will spend 12 billion USDs over 25 years to improve its power supply.