The aircraft’s arrival, greeted by a majestic water cannon at Addis Ababa’s Bole International Airport, took place in the presence of influential personalities, including government officials, ambassadors, diplomats, as well as senior representatives from Airbus and Thales. The A350-1000 made its inaugural flight from Toulouse, France, carrying a special cargo : medical supplies worth over 107,273 USD (100,000 euros), generously donated to the Ethiopian Airlines Foundation by Aviation Sans Frontières, in partnership with Airbus.
This gesture testifies to the company’s commitment to humanitarian actions and underlines its contribution to the well-being of its communities. The A350-1000 will enable Ethiopian Airlines to enhance its premium service to key destinations such as Washington DC, London, Paris and Frankfurt. After an official welcome in Addis Ababa, Ethiopian Airlines offered a demonstration flight around the great Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, allowing guests to discover the aircraft’s exceptional performance and enjoy a breathtaking view of one of Africa’s most impressive infrastructures.
To date, Ethiopian Airlines operates a fleet of 21 A350 Family aircraft. A total of 14 further A350 aircraft are scheduled to join the airline’s fleet in the coming years, including 11 additional A350-900s and three A350-1000s. The A350-1000 will offer a high degree of operational similarity with the A350-900 fleet, ensuring seamless integration with shared pilots and mechanics, simplifying training and maintenance processes.
A symbol of progress for African aviation
At the ceremony, Mesfin Tasew, CEO of Ethiopian Airlines Group, expressed his pride
We are delighted to welcome the Airbus A350-1000 to our fleet, consolidating our position as a leader in aviation technology. This aircraft embodies cutting-edge advances, offering superior passenger comfort, improved fuel efficiency and reduced environmental impact. Together, we are pioneering a sustainable future for aviation in Africa.
With a design focused on comfort and innovation, the Airbus A350-1000 is equipped with Thales’ Avant Up in-flight entertainment system and HBC+ connectivity system. Offering passengers unrivalled luxury, this aircraft has a total capacity of 395 seats, spaciousness, large screens and a unique landscape camera for an immersive experience. In business class, every passenger benefits from direct aisle access, guaranteeing comfort and convenience.
The addition of this aircraft to the Ethiopian Airlines fleet also underlines its commitment to a greener future for the aviation industry in Africa. With its remarkable fuel efficiency and advanced technologies to reduce carbon emissions, the A350-1000 represents a pioneering solution in the quest for more environmentally-friendly aviation. Like all Airbus aircraft, the A350 can already operate on up to 50% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). Airbus aims to have its aircraft capable of using up to 100% SAF by 2030.
With this acquisition, Ethiopian Airlines continues to reinforce its pioneering status, reminding us of the importance of innovation and modernization for Africa’s economic and technological development.
