ADDIS ABABA, June 20 (Xinhua) -- Ethiopian Airlines has placed an order for 10 additional airbus a350-900 aircraft, the airlines announced on Tuesday.
Last June, Ethiopian Airlines became the first African carrier to operate the A350 when it took delivery of the first of 12 aircraft in order. Currently the airline operates four A350s fleets, two of which are on lease.
The current order by the Addis Ababa-based carrier's fleet will enable it to pursue its growth strategy and objectives over the coming years, the airlines announced in a statement sent to Xinhua on Tuesday.
"Operating the youngest fleet in the industry with modern and comfortable customer features in cabin is one of the four pillars in our 15 years strategic road map, vision 2025, and this order placement for additional A-350s is one component of this strategy," said Tewolde GebreMariam, group CEO of Ethiopian Airlines.
According to GebreMariam, the performance, operational and cost efficiencies of the initial A350-900s have resulted in these additional 10 aircraft order placement.
The airline further indicated that it will deploy the additional aircraft to its long haul routes connecting Addis Ababa with destinations in Africa, Europe, the Middle East and Asia.
The A350 features the latest aerodynamic design and materials, including its carbon-fiber fuselage and wings, it was indicated.
