Africa-Press – Ethiopia. Ethiopian Airlines Group signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Boeing Company to purchase about 20 Boeing 777X-9 passenger aircraft yesterday.
Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO, Mesfin Tassew and Drad McMullen, Boeing Senior Vice President of Commercial and Sales Marketing signed the MoU.
During the signing ceremony, Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO Mesfin Tassew said that the purchase order makes Ethiopian the first to order the largest twin-engine aircraft in Africa.
“This evening I am pleased to announce that the Ethiopian airlines has signed a memorandum of understanding to purchase up to 20 Boeing 777X-9 aircraft,” Mesfin revealed.
Powered by the latest technology General Electric Engine (GE9X) and it is the first commercial aircraft with folding wingtips, he stated, and added that it is made up of composites to make it mighty lighter, more durable, and less costly for maintenance.
Ethiopian airlines will be the first to introduce this ultra-modern aircraft to Africa, the CEO said, and stressed “in fact Ethiopian airlines has been pioneering the African air transport industry since its inception by introducing always the latest aircraft model into Africa.”
“Including these 20 aircrafts, the total number of order Ethiopian airlines has with Boeing reaches 104 aircraft. We are doing this in our effort to realize our vision 2035, which includes operating 271 aircraft. The number of firm orders from Boeing 59 aircraft including 8 Boeing 777X-9 aircrafts,” CEO Mesfin elaborated.
He revealed that Ethiopian will receive three of the aircrafts in 2027, another three in 2029 and the remaining two by 2030.
The least price of the total 20 Boeing 777X-9 passenger aircrafts will cost Ethiopian about 11 billion US dollars, it was indicated.
Boeing Senior Vice President of Commercial and Sales Marketing, Drad McMullen said on his part that the signed memorandum of understanding to purchase 20 Boeing 777X-9 aircraft is huge.
The partnership between Ethiopian airlines and Boeing has been 75 years, McMullen said, and added “the two companies has grown up together.”
“As the CEO mentioned, you have had many (aircrafts) (you are ) the first in the industry you went through. This is another first that you launch for your customer for 777X-9 in Africa. We are just really pleased as part of your journey on your growth in the African market,” the Senior Vice President emphasized.
US Ambassador to Ethiopia, Ervin Jose Massinga said that the MoU signed between Ethiopian airlines and Boeing Company represents strong corporate relationship.
He added that the US government is excited to play its part in supporting the relationship.
“For me, this represents not just a relationship between Boeing and Ethiopian airlines but between the peoples of the united states, the economies of the United States and the economies of Ethiopia, and I look forward to more in the future,” Ambassador Massinga noted.
Ethiopian Air Force Commander and Board chairperson of Ethiopian Airlines, Lieutenant General Yilma Merdasa and US Ambassador to Ethiopia, Ervin Jose Massinga as well as other dignitaries attended the signing ceremony.
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