Ethiopian Airlines to acquire up to 10 Boeing 787s

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, Feb 4, 2005 (AP) – Ethiopian Airlines will acquire up to 10 Boeing 787s at a cost of US$1.3 billion (euro1 billion), starting in three years time, officials said Friday.

The airline will buy outright five of the Boeings, also called Dreamliners, and will take delivery of the first plane in 2008, said Kagnew Fessaha, spokesman of Ethiopian Airlines.

The fuel-efficient Boeing 787 is due to go into service in 2008.

Sixty-year old Ethiopian Airlines has an option to lease another five Boeings, Kagnew told The Associated Press.

He did not say when the agreement to buy the 10 airplanes was reached with Chicago-based Boeing Co., nor did he give any other details.

Next June, the airline is expected to take delivery of the last of 12 Boeing jets leased in a separate deal that began in July 2002.

Ethiopian Airlines flies more than a million passengers a year. It serves most cities in Ethiopia as well as more than 40 international destinations. It currently has a fleet of about 21 aircraft, mostly jets.