Ethiopia's flag carrier Ethiopian Airlines has entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with South Africa’s Aerosud Group to establish an aerospace manufacturing joint venture (JV) in the country.

The proposed JV will manufacture and provide various aircraft parts to Boeing, Airbus and other aerospace companies.

The JV is to be set up in line with Ethiopian government’s industrialisation policy fixed in the five years Growth and Transformation Plan (GTPII), and will create employment.

Over time, several manufacturing facilities will be established in the vicinity of Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, Ethiopia.

Aerosud Group managing director Johan Steyn said: “We are happy to establish this joint venture with Ethiopian airlines and we would like to share Aerosud’s long years of experience working with major aircraft manufacturers such as Boeing and Airbus, and help Ethiopian in the development of the aerospace manufacturing industry within the country.”

"The proposed JV will manufacture and provide various aircraft parts to Boeing, Airbus and other aerospace companies."

Ethiopian Airlines has already conducted a feasibility study to identify possible areas of aerospace manufacturing.

The carrier has also had discussions with various aircraft manufacturing companies including Boeing, Bombardier and other aerospace manufacturing companies in this regard.

In February this year, Ethiopian Airlines had made an investment of $100m to expand and upgrade its aviation academy, which has an annual intake capacity of 4,000 students.

The investment was made in accordance with the airlines’ vision 2025 strategic road map.


Image: Representatives of Ethiopian airlines and Aerosud Group at the MoU signing ceremony. Photo: courtesy of Ethiopian Airlines.