The recent retro-fitting of all Ethiopian airline’s B777 business class seats to full flat configuration at its maintenance facility, tells a story of professionalism in air travel, writes SADE WILLIAMS
That Ethiopian Airline has shown the way and taken the lead in aviation in Africa is no longer news. The company has continued to add to its accolades by doing the extra-ordinary on the African continent as it is gradually turning its Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility to a Lufthansa technik of sort.
Few weeks ago, the airline, which no doubt is the largest airline in Africa, successfully retro-fitted all its B777 business class seats to full flat configuration.
The retro-fitting project on Ethiopian eight B777 aircraft, was conducted at Ethiopian MRO facility with an in-house capability. According to the airline, the vendors that were also involved in the project included the Zodiac Northwest Aerospace Technologies (ZNAT), ZSUK (Zodiac Seats UK) and Thales of France.
Commenting on the feat, Zemene Nega, Vice President, MRO, Ethiopian Airlines Group, said: We are pleased to successfully complete the retrofitting project on our B777 fleet with our in-house capability which is a testament of Ethiopian self-sufficiency in trained aviation professionals. We have made huge investments to accomplish the renovation project which encompasses; modifying seats to full flat laying positions, rearranging passenger service, rework on IFE and software change. It is yet another breakthrough to further enhance our business class passengers’ satisfaction and offer superior travel experience.
“Going forward, we will continue to work hard to ensure our passengers’ extra comfort and make their experience with Ethiopian a memorable one’, he said.
Ethiopian is a Pan-African global carrier with the youngest fleet in the continent with an average age of less than seven years and currently serves 87 international destinations across five continents with over 200 daily departures.
As the fastest growing airline in Africa in the past close to seven decades, Ethiopian has become one of the continent’s leading carriers, unrivalled in efficiency and operational success.
It commands the lion share of the pan-African passenger and cargo network operating the youngest and most modern fleet to more than 85 international destinations across five continents.
Ethiopian fleet includes ultra-modern and environmentally friendly aircraft such as the Boeing 787, Boeing 777-300 ER, Boeing 777-200LR, Boeing 777-200 Freighter and Bombardier Q-400 with double cabin.
In fact, Ethiopian is the first airline in Africa to own and operate these aircraft.
The airline is currently implementing a 15-year strategic plan called Vision 2025 that will see it become the leading aviation group in Africa with seven business centers namely: Ethiopian Domestic and Regional Airline; Ethiopian International Passenger Airline; Ethiopian Cargo; Ethiopian MRO; Ethiopian Aviation Academy; Ethiopian In-flight Catering Services; and Ethiopian Ground Service.
Ethiopian is a multi-award winning airline registering an average growth of 25 percent in the past seven years.
As flag carrier of Ethiopia, Ethiopian Airlines has become one of the continent’s leading carriers, unrivalled in Africa for efficiency and operational success, turning profits for most years of its existence.
Established on December 21, 1945, Ethiopian has come a long way since its humble beginning, with DC-3/C-47 aircraft.
Operating at the forefront of technology, it has now become one of Ethiopia’s major industries and a veritable institution in Africa, operating a modern and environmental friendly fleet.
Beyond the passenger airline business, the Aviation Group is diversifying into seven profit centers with $10 billion in revenue.
During the period 2011-12 Ethiopian carried 4.6 million passengers, successfully competing with other airlines with respect to modern equipment, convenience of connections, and quality of service.
Its green, yellow and red emblem is recognised almost everywhere as the symbol of the Ethiopian flag carrier.
The member of Star Alliance coverage spans to Europe, North America, South America, Africa, Middle East and Asia.
The combination of a modern fleet and a developed network of connections to major cities across the globe are strong assets of Ethiopian.
Ethiopian flies to 79 international destinations and 18 within Ethiopia.
Ethiopian customers will enjoy an innovative new interior environment, wider seats and aisles apart from larger windows and greatly improved overall flying experience.
To heighten customer’s comfort onboard, Ethiopian will complement the future with 32 ultra-modern fleet of which Airbus A350-900, Boeing 787 Dreamliner, Boeing 737-800, 777-300 and 777-200F are included.
In addition to the 8 Boeing 787s on order, Ethiopian will complement the future fleet with 14 Airbus A350-900s and additional 4 Boeing 737-800s with Sky Interior.
Ethiopian Airlines has remained successful in terms of safety and profitability for almost seven decades of existence and counting. In 2011 alone, for instance, Ethiopian Airlines received four different awards. These include African Cargo Airline of the Year, Deal of the Year 2010 Award, Africa’s Most Profitable Airline of the Year (2011 was the third in a row) as well as African Airlines Association (AFRAA) Award for being consistently profitable over the years. (AFRAA is the trade organization open to membership of African Union states in the airline business).
Speaking on why the airline has been able to weather the storm despite the comatose nature of some previously giant airlines, Tewolde Gebremariam, its chief executive officer, said recently in the media: “First and foremost, the airline has exceptionally dedicated and uniquely committed employees and management. Ethiopian Airlines employees do not consider their association with their airline as a simple contract of employment for a monthly pay check; rather they consider themselves to be in a long-term mission of building a competitive global airline brand for their country.
“And we have a long-term vision. Very few airlines think in terms of a 15-year strategy. If you just go from quarter to quarter you may hit a few targets but you will neglect your longer-term goals”, he added.
SADE WILLIAMS
