US President Barack Obama and Group CEO of Ethiopian Airlines Tewolde GebreMariam met at Bole International Airport beside the B787 Dreamliner Aircraft.

The president was very happy to see the Boeing 787 Dreamliner with Ethiopian flag and thanked Ethiopian Airlines for being a very good longtime customer of Boeing and the United States. The president said he has visited the factories in which they are made and asked for the number of B-787 Dreamliners the airline operates. GebreMariam replied: “Ethiopian has 13 in service and 8 on order.”

They also discussed the performance of the B-787 Dreamliners. GebreMariam explained they are very popular among customers; more humidity in the air reduces fatigue and dryness. The Dreamliners have the largest windows in the air, are the quietest airplane in its category, save 20 percent fuel burn compared to other airplanes in its category, and are the most environment-friendly airplanes.

The discussion also referred to Colonel Robinson and how he could be honored in recognition of his contribution to Ethiopia and its people. Ethiopian Airlines has decided to name one of its airplanes after him.

The president was interested to know the most profitable routes in relation to Ethiopian’s vast network. GebreMariam named them as Washington DC, Beijing, Shanghai, Changzhou, Hong Kong and Luanda, among others.

GebreMariam told Obama that Ethiopian is flying to 91 international destinations in five continents, including Washington DC and Los Angeles in the United States, Toronto in Canada, 52 destinations in Africa, 24 destinations in the Middle East and Asia, and 12 destinations in Europe.

GebreMariam said efforts for reopening the US-based Exim Bank have been intensified as it is the airline’s main guarantor of the loans used for purchasing Boeing airplanes.

Obama congratulated the airline for successfully running the largest airline in Africa.