Ethiopian Airlines has received its first Airbus A350-1000, becoming the first African carrier to operate the largest model in the A350 family.
ADDIS ABABA, Nov. 6 (Xinhua) -- Ethiopian Airlines has received its first Airbus A350-1000, becoming the first African carrier to operate the largest model in the A350 family.
The passenger plane, named "Ethiopia: Land of Origins," landed Tuesday at the Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia.
Speaking at the official welcoming ceremony, Ethiopian Airlines Group Chief Executive Officer Mesfin Tasew said with the addition of the A350-1000, Ethiopian Airlines is poised to expand its global reach, connecting more destinations across five continents.
"The A350-1000 is the first of four airplanes we will receive in the coming few months. The addition of A350-1000 aircraft into our fleet represents our desire to continue leading the aviation sector in Africa and effectively compete in the aviation industry worldwide," Tasew said.
The A350-1000 variant has 395 passenger seats across business and economy classes, making it the largest aircraft in Ethiopian Airlines' fleet.
"The A350-1000 aircraft is built with state-of-the-art aerodynamics, a carbon-fiber fuselage, and the most fuel-efficient technology, reducing 25 percent carbon dioxide emissions compared to previous generations' twin-aisle aircraft," Tasew added.
For his part, Hadi Akoum, representative of Airbus, said the A350-1000 aircraft is the first of its kind to be operated by an Africa-based operator and will enable Ethiopian Airlines to enhance its premium service and reduce operating costs.
"With its state-of-the-art technology, the A350-1000 is better environmentally friendly and offers the largest business class, to reduce operating costs per seat," Akoum said.
Ethiopian Airlines has become one of the fastest-growing carriers globally since it started operations in 1946.
According to the company, it commands the lion's share of the African passenger and cargo network operation, with its youngest and most modern fleet to more than 150 domestic and international passenger and cargo destinations across five continents. ■