Ethiopian Airlines augments fleet
Bombardier Commercial Aircraft and Ethiopian Airlines Enterprise (Ethiopian Airlines) have signed a firm purchase agreement for two additional Q400 turboprop aircraft to augment Ethiopian Airlines’ fleet.
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This brings the total number of Q400 aircraft within the airline’s fleet to 19, the largest single fleet in Africa. The transaction is valued at approximately US$63 million.
“We are continuously working to have the right fleet with agility, optimal range, load and passenger comfort which is critical for us to keep our leadership position in the market. The Q400 aircraft continues to be an integral part of our expansion strategy in Africa,” the Group Chief Executive Officer of Ethiopian Airlines, Mr Tewolde Gebremariam, said in a joint statement released after the signing in Addis Ababa.
He added that through Ethiopian Airlines’ strategic partnerships with ASKY Airlines in Togo and Malawian Airlines, the Q400 airliner had played a vital role in availing convenient connections, as well as increasing frequencies to support air travel growth in Africa and successfully create a missing link.
“The Q400 aircraft is also our core fleet to our domestic and regional destinations, thereby ensuring excellent passenger experience, operational flexibility and economics.”
Mr Gebremariam said they would continue to work with Bombardier to support and maintain the aircraft through approved Q400 Authorised Service Facility and their own Q400 aircraft simulator.
The President of Bombardier Commercial Aircraft, Mr Fred Cromer, said “the Q400 turboprop continues to make impressive headway in Africa and has proven its ruggedness and reliability in challenging operational environments where its hot and high capability, jet-like speed and high rate of climb are significant assets.”
“Some 69 Q400 aircraft are now in service with more than 20 operators on the continent, and we are delighted with Ethiopian Airlines’ continuing growth and impressive use of the aircraft to satisfy a wide variety of market requirements.”
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“Our commitment to help Africa continue to expand its regional airline network with modern, economical, fuel-efficient and environmentally sensitive aircraft remains a very high priority at Bombardier,” said John Kassis, Vice President, Sales, Africa and the Middle East, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft.
Bombardier Commercial Aircraft
Thanks to its combination of turboprop attributes, jet-like features, industry-leading passenger experience and environmental footprint, the Q400 aircraft is exceptionally versatile and can be adapted to a variety of business models.
By offering a 30 per cent reduction in fuel burn over the jets it often replaces, the Q400 aircraft radically reduces carbon emissions and increases cost efficiency. — GB