Hofmann's recommendations

Proud member - Ethiopian Airlines

700394

Photo credit by K. Hofmann

700394

Photo credit by K. Hofmann

On December 13, Ethiopian Airlines became the 28th member of the world's largest airline alliance, the Star Alliance. This enables the alliance, which includes Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines, Singapore Airlines and United Airlines, to expand its presence in the important African market. Alongside Egyptair and South African Airways, Ethiopian is the third member on the Black Continent. Ethiopian Airlines has one of the most modern fleets. From next year, its average age will be gradually reduced with the delivery of the first Boeing 787 Dreamliner and will be less than four years old when the tenth 787 arrives! A figure that many European airlines do not meet. The pride of the airline employees in fulfilling around 80 criteria for joining the alliance in fourteen months was unmistakable at the celebrations at Addis Ababa Bole Airport. A modern terminal is also located there. Ethiopian was one of the first airlines in the world to introduce the hub concept. Today, 62 international and 17 domestic destinations are connected from here. Star Alliance has continued to implement its strategy of expansion in Africa and can offer the most comprehensive range of services of all alliances. 16 Star Alliance member airlines operate 760 daily flights to over 110 destinations and 48 countries in Africa. Ethiopian Airlines' fleet is one of the most modern, not only in Africa. While the latest Business Class product with seats that can be converted into beds is already available on five Boeing 777-200LRs - on routes to the USA, China, Dubai, Lagos and Luanda - older seats still have to be used on board eleven Boeing 767-300ERs on European routes. Comfort improvements will continue with the Boeing 787 and, in future, with the deployment of twelve Airbus A350s. Ethiopian also operates seven Boeing 757s, five Boeing 737-700s, six Boeing 737-800s and eight Bombardier Q400NGs, as well as six freighters. A further nine Boeing 737-800s are on order. Ethiopian Airlines aims to become Africa's leading aviation group by 2025, carrying 18 million passengers.

Kurt Hofmann
(December 2011)