In recent years, Ethiopian Airlines has become one of the key players of African commercial aviation.
It operates a diverse fleet comprising both widebody and narrowbody designs,
as well as regional aircraft. It may be set to further diversify the former of these categories,
as it weighs up its options for another potential twin-aisle order.
Addis Ababa-based Star Alliance member Ethiopian Airlines has confirmed that it is in the final
stages of its decision-making process regarding its next widebody order. Speaking to Aviation
Week, the carrier’s CEO, Tewolde GebreMariam, confirmed at the start of October that one
of the designs that he is considering is the stretched-fuselage Airbus A350-1000.
The -1000 variant of Airbus’s next-generation widebody family clocks in at 73.79 meters long.
This gives it an added seven meters of length over the 66.8-meter-long A350-900 variant,
which typically translates to around 55 extra seats. However, the extra capacity isn’t the
only selling point for Ethiopian Airlines. Indeed, GebreMariam told Aviation Week:
“It looks like the A350-1000 is good for the high altitude of 2,200 m (7,200
feet) above sea level at our hub [at] Addis Ababa Bole International Airport,
so we are okay [with the aircraft performance].”
While GebreMariam considers the A350-1000 to be an attractive proportion for his airline,
it is not the only widebody design that the Ethiopian Group CEO is considering.
Indeed, he is also weighing up the possibility of bringing the Boeing 777X series to Addis Ababa.
Regarding Boeing’s next-generation widebody, GebreMariam told Aviation Week:
“As you know, the 777X is delayed. However, we are talking with Boeing [as well].
Before the end of the year, we plan to have made a decision.”
This means that we should see Ethiopian add to its order book in the next few months.
Regardless of which design the airline goes for, GebreMariam plans to order at least 10
narrowbodies to accompany his carrier’s existing twin-aisle fleet.
In terms of its existing fleet, Ethiopian Airlines presently has 66 widebodies. Of these,
the majority are Boeing jets, with the only Airbus representation coming from 16
A350-900s. However, the carrier does also have a further eight of these twinjets on order.
In terms of Boeing aircraft, Ethiopian’s most common type is the 787-8,
of which it operates 19. There are also eight 787-9s in the airline’s fleet, alongside four
767-300ERs. Ethiopian’s remaining widebodies come from the 777 family.
The airline has six 777-200LRs, nine 777-200Fs, and four 777-300ERs.
With Ethiopian already having a diverse fleet of aircraft and widebodies from both Airbus
and Boeing, it doesn’t look like commonality with existing jets will be much of an issue.
Ultimately, as with any aircraft order, pricing, delivery times, and performance
will all need to be carefully considered. What do you make of Ethiopian Airlines’
potential widebody order? Which twin-aisle design would you most like to see the carrier take on?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments. If you want to hear more about Ethiopian Airlines,
we’ll be speaking to the airline’s CEO- and other industry leaders- in early November, at
Simple Flying’s online Future Flying Forum event. Keep watching to find out what it’s all about...