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Arrival of Ethiopian 787-8
On November 10th 2012 Ethiopian Airlines (ET/ETH) made history, becoming the first airline to commence revenue Boeing 787 Dreamliner service to Canada. Flight number ETH 502 from Bole International Airport at Addis Ababa (ADD / HAAB) arrived via Leonardo da Vinci / Fiumicino International Airport (FCO/LIRF) at Toronto Lester B. Pearson International Airport (YYZ / CYYZ). It arrived to a foggy morning on Runway 05 just after sunrise.
Ethiopian inaugurated the Bole-Toronto route with Boeing 777-200LRs on July 17th 2012. Toronto became the second destination served by Ethiopian in North America after Washington D.C. Both routes open Ethiopian’s Star Alliance partners to a direct connection to Africa, and Ethiopian to a plethora of route connections into North America on carriers such as Air Canada, United Airlines and US Airways. The Toronto route is the only direct connection between Toronto and Africa. Since October 20th, Ethiopian has operated 767-300s on the Toronto route to accommodate lower winter loads. The switch to 787 equipment has eliminated the need for a fuel stop in Rome on the return flight, ETH503, which is now flying direct to Addis Ababa, a 15+ hour flight.
Ethiopian was the first airline in the world outside of Japan (ANA and JAL) to operate the 787 Dreamliner and also became the first African airline to operate the 777-200LR in 2010 (five in service). Ethiopian ordered five 787-8s in February 2005, with five options. It quickly changed the options to firm orders in June of the same year, becoming the first airline to exercise options for the type. The 787s will eventually replace the Airline’s 767s.
Ethiopian 787s In service
The first Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner delivered to Ethiopian was ET-AOQ (c/n 34745/49) (ex-N1020K) flying from Everett (KPAE/PAE) to Washington Dulles (KIAD/IAD) on August 15 2012 where it was formally delivered. It flew a revenue flight from Dulles to Addis Ababa on August 16. It had made it's first flight on July 9 2012. The second aircraft delivered was ET-AOR (c/n 34746/71) on October 3rd (first flight September 12). The third Ethiopian 787 ET-AOS (c/n 34747/75) was delivered on October 23rd (first flight September 13).
Ethiopian Airlines is 100% government owned, and was established on December 21, 1945. It has seen huge growth in the last few years, surpassing US $1 billion revenue in FY 2009/2010, as part of it’s ‘Vision 2010' growth plan, generating a net profit of $118 million. The aggressive marketing and cost cutting plan has continued to see increased growth and profit.
YYZ Airport Watch was kindly offered an airside tour by the Greater Toronto Airports Authority for a limited number if it’s members to witness this historical moment. Twenty two lucky YYZAW directors and members joined ten GTAA staff contest winners for a close-up look as the brand new Dreamliner rolled out from it’s landing in the fog on runway 05. The tour bus also stopped on the ramp to allow a few more photos from a different angle with the aircraft on the gate. Our thanks, as always, to GTAA’s Russ Cruikshank who ran the tour, and everyone at GTAA who made this superb event possible.
Photos courtesy of Andrew Cline
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