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In 2016, Ethiopian Airlines proudly received the delivery of its first Airbus A350. In the past four years, the African giant has accepted 13 more, and now two more have joined the fleet. The two wide bodies flew from Toulouse to Addis Ababa early today on November 7, within minutes of each other, sparking another rare ‘double delivery’.
Double delivery day
On 7 November at 01:35 and 01:39, two new A350s left the Airbus assembly facility in Toulouse (France) for the Ethiopian Airlines hub in Addis Ababa (Ethiopia). The journey took just under six and a half hours, and the plane arrived at its new home at 10:00. The two flights were ET9201 and ET9203.
The new aircraft are registered as ET-AYA (nicknamed ‘Geneva’) and ET-AYB (nicknamed ‘Singapore’). According to AIB Family Flights, the former was first seen in Toulouse without its engines in March this year. The latter was seen for the first time in January. Since then, Airbus has been preparing the aircraft, conducting four test flights and a fifth customer acceptance flight.
All times listed above are local.
A delivery plane also loaded with cargo
Similar to Boeing’s humanitarian delivery flight program, the A350s were loaded with donated humanitarian supplies. The people of Ethiopia have benefited greatly from this, as many Ethiopian Airlines flights have participated in humanitarian initiatives by Boeing and Airbus.
“We received 2 new A-350 aircraft on the same day, we also donated humanitarian medical equipment that was brought on board the delivery flight of these new aircraft to the Ethiopian Ministry of Health in a large event held today at ET Cargo & Logistics Services ”. -Ethiopian Airlines via Twitter
It’s a double delivery day! ✈️✈️ We are pleased to see two # A350 Union @flyethiopianfleet today. It is also an opportunity to transport much needed humanitarian goods in cooperation with the @AirbusFdn.https: //t.co/6lFQYPBWP4 pic.twitter.com/LmjC2PA29y
– Airbus (@Airbus) November 7, 2020
The Airbus A350 and Ethiopian Airlines
The A350 is one of the newer types from Ethiopian Airlines. Once a strong fleet of Boeing jets, the airline decided to diversify and take on Airbus jets as well. The airline now has 16 of the jets, all configured to accommodate 30 passengers in business class and 318 in economy class.
While the airline is making good use of its Airbus fleet during a time of reduced travel demand, there are two A350s that are currently listed as stored: ET-AUB and ET-AVC.
The A350 as a type is actually Ethiopia’s only Airbus aircraft. All other aircraft are from Boeing and range from the 737 Next Generation to the 767, 777 and 787.
Simple Flying had the special opportunity to board an Ethiopian Airlines A350 almost exactly one year ago when the type of aircraft arrived at Toronto Pearson International. The event marked Ethiopian Airlines’ first A350 at Pearson and was celebrated with champagne and cake and a round of speeches.
Have you flown an Ethiopian Airlines A350 before? Share your experience with us in the comments.
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