Ethipioa

Ethiopia’s flag carrier Ethiopian Airlines has placed a follow-on order with Bombardier for two Q400 Turboprop aircraft valued at $63m in list price.

For the deal, Ethiopian Airlines has signed a firm purchase agreement with Bombardier Commercial Aircraft.

The deal will increase Ethiopian Airlines’ Q400 aircraft fleet to 19 planes.

Ethiopian Airlines group chief executive officer Tewolde Gebremariam said: "We are continuously working to have the right fleet with agility, optimal range, load and passenger comfort which is critical for us to keep our leadership position in the market.

"The Q400 aircraft continues to be an integral part of our expansion strategy in Africa.

"Through our strategic partnerships with ASKY Airlines in Togo and Malawian Airlines in Malawi, the Q400 airliner has played a vital role in availing convenient connections, as well as increasing frequencies to support air travel growth in Africa and successfully create a missing link.

"The Q400 aircraft is also our core fleet to our domestic and regional destinations, thereby ensuring excellent passenger experience, operational flexibility and economics."

In 2013, Ethiopian Airlines announced a plan to double its Q400 fleet from 13 to at least 26 aircraft by 2026, and the latest order is part of its fleet expansion plan.

Bombardier Commercial Aircraft president Fred Cromer said: "The Q400 turboprop continues to make impressive headway in Africa and has proven its ruggedness and reliability in challenging operational environments where its hot and high capability, jet-like speed and high rate of climb are significant assets.

"The Q400 aircraft is also our core fleet to our domestic and regional destinations, thereby ensuring excellent passenger experience, operational flexibility and economics."

"Some 69 Q400 aircraft are now in service with more than 20 operators on the continent, and we are delighted with Ethiopian Airlines’ continuing growth and impressive use of the aircraft to satisfy a wide variety of market requirements."

Ethiopian Airlines operates in over 90 international destinations in five continents.

Bombardier Commercial Aircraft Africa and the Middle East sales vice president John Kassis said: "Our commitment to help Africa continue to expand its regional airline network with modern, economical, fuel-efficient and environmentally sensitive aircraft remains a very high priority at Bombardier.

"Our collaboration with operators in Africa encompasses the Dash 8 / Q Series turboprops and the pioneering CRJ Series family of regional jets.

"Now, we are witnessing the unprecedented growth in Africa being undertaken by Ethiopian Airlines, ASKY and Malawian and the Q400 turboprop airliner continues to be a key contributor to this strategy."

Bombardier has received firm orders for a total of 547 Q400 jets, including the latest purchase agreement with Ethiopian Airlines.

Image: Q400 aircraft in Ethiopian Airline livery. Photo: courtesy of Bombardier