Ethiopian Airlines has become the first carrier outside Japan to operate the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, a state-of-the-art passenger jet.
The introduction of the Boeing 787 in Malawi took place at Kamuzu International Airport in Lilongwe at a function graced by deputy Minister of Transport and Public Works Sosten Gwengwe and Minister of Tourism Daniel Liwimbi.
The American-made carrier, the long-range, mid-size, wide body, twin engine jet airliner, touched down at exactly 2:45pm from Tanzania on its maiden flight and was flown by Captain Lance Lindsley.
Upon touchdown, the 787 was jet-sprayed by a fire engine from the Fire Department before the passengers descended.
“Ethiopian Airways has done Malawi and Africa pride,†said Liwimbi after a tour of the plane accompanied by Gwengwe.
According to captain Lindsley, the 787 has a 14 200 kilometre range, roughly equivalent to a 20-hour non-stop flight.
“Not only that, with its lightweight carbon-composite wings and fuselage, the 787 is 20 percent more fuel efficient than the similar size Boeing 767,†explained Lindsley, adding that the Dreamliner is environmental-friendly because of its low carbon emissions.
Ethiopian Airlines area manager Jafar Hamid said the company has ordered 10 planes, but so far Boeing has delivered only one.
“We hope by September next year, all the planes will have been delivered. This type of plane will help cut fuel costs because of its efficiency,†he said.
The 10 new 787s have been bought with a $1 billion (K290 billion) loan guarantee from America’s Export-Import Bank and it is currently tendering for an additional 15 single-aisle jets to solidify its African presence.
It is unusual among State-owned African airlines to raise its own debt and finance its own expansion without government cash
“Ethiopian is well managed and has consistently exceeded the profit targets set out in its strategy plans,†said Hamid, explaining the success of Ethiopian Airliner.
The Dreamliner takes 260 passengers, 24 in business class and 236 in economy class.
