AerCap Makes First A350 XWB Delivery To An African Carrier

AerCap Holdings N.V. has delivered a new Airbus A350-900 to Ethiopian Airlines, the first of two new A350-900 aircraft deliveries on long-term lease to Ethiopian Airlines from AerCap’s order book with Airbus. The aircraft was transferred to Ethiopian Airlines at a ceremony in the Airbus Delivery Center in Toulouse, and is the first A350 XWB aircraft to be delivered to an African carrier. A second new A350-900 aircraft is scheduled for delivery to Ethiopian Airlines in August 2016.

AerCap has one of the largest Airbus A350 XWB portfolios with a total of four owned and another 25 on order aircraft - one of the most in-demand aircraft in the world.

AerCap President and Chief Commercial Officer Philip Scruggs said, “Ethiopian Airlines is a longstanding customer and we are delighted to support its fleet renewal program by delivering their first A350-900 aircraft. The Airbus A350-900 will offer Ethiopian Airlines greater capacity and increased range for its growing network, as well as greater operational efficiency. We look forward to continuing our successful relationship with our friends and partners at Ethiopian Airlines as the airline optimizes its fleet.”

Group CEO Ethiopian Airlines, Mr. Tewolde GebreMariam, remarked, “Ethiopian has been a pioneer leader in owning and operating cutting edge aviation technologies in the African continent and the delivery of the A350 XWB is a continuation of that tradition. Moreover, fleet expansion being one of the four pillars of our 15 years strategic roadmap dubbed Vision 2025, we are continually modernizing our fleet capability to support our ever expanding network and for the extra comfort and satisfaction of our customers. We would like to thank AerCap for their trust and confidence to partner with us and for supporting us to introduce the extra excitement of the A350 to our beloved continent and look forward to a continued mutual success.”

"Ethiopian Airlines has a proud reputation for excellence in operation and customer service. We at Airbus are equally proud that our A350 XWB is the platform that will re-enforce this," said Tom Williams, Airbus Chief Operating Officer. "We are celebrating the delivery of Africa's first A350 XWB and we congratulate Ethiopian Airlines and AerCap on this achievement.”

(Source: AerCap news release. Image from file)

FMI: www.aercap.com