Senior executives of African carrier Ethiopian Airlines were in Chicago on Saturday as part of the Hosted Airline Programme of the Chicago Department of Aviation at this year's World Routes forum, but a visit to Boeing headquarters in the city saw them confirm the selection of the Boeing 737 MAX for its short-haul fleet renewal.
The airline has placed an order for 20 737 MAX 8s with options and purchase rights for a further 15 aircraft. It is the largest single Boeing order by number of aircraft from an African carrier and was previously unidentified in the Boeing order backlog as being placed by an unidentified customer.
"This order underlines our commitment to our 15-year strategic plan, 'Vision 2025', in which Ethiopian will strive to become the leading airline group in Africa carrying 18 million passengers per annum," said Tewolde Gebremariam, chief executive officer, Ethiopian Airlines during his visit to Chicago. "The 737 MAX will form a key component of that strategic vision, enhancing our single-aisle fleet and keeping us at the forefront of African aviation."
The 737 MAX incorporates the latest technology CFM International LEAP-1B engines, Advanced Technology winglets and other improvements to deliver higher efficiency, reliability and passenger comfort in the single-aisle market. The 737 MAX will be 14 per cent more fuel-efficient than today's most efficient Next-Generation 737s – and 20 per cent better than the original Next-Generation 737s when they first entered service. The 737 MAX now has an orderbook of 2,294 units from 47 customers worldwide.
"This historic order for Boeing and our partner Ethiopian once again positions the carrier at the heart of African aerospace innovation with the acquisition of the 737 MAX," said Van Rex Gallard, vice president of Sales for Latin America, Africa and the Caribbean, Boeing Commercial Airplanes, speaking in Chicago. "Throughout the years, Ethiopian has consistently led the way in introducing new airplane types to passengers across Africa. Today's record order signals its commitment to continue that tradition."
Ethiopian currently serves more than 83 destinations across five continents from its base at Bole International Airport in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa. The Ethiopian flag carrier's partnership with Boeing has existed for more than half a century, with a current fleet of more than 50 Boeing jets that includes Next-Generation 737s, 757s, 767s, 777s, 787 Dreamliners and a cargo fleet of 757s, 777 Freighters and MD-11s.
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