Ethiopian takes 1st Dreamliner delivery

Ethiopian Airlines Tuesday took delivery of its 1st Boeing 787-800 Dreamliner dubbed Africa First. The airline is said to be the 1st in the world outside Japan and ahead of any airline in the Americas, Europe and the Middle East to operate the Dreamliner, the most technologically advanced commercial aircraft in the world. Ethiopian has placed a firm order of 10 Dreamliners and will be receiving 5 of them before December 2012.
"The addition of the Boeing 787 to our fleet will enable Ethiopian to provide unparalleled level of onboard comfort to its valued customers in Africa and beyond," said Ethiopian Airlines CEO Tewolde Gebremariam at the ribbon-cutting ceremony held at in Everett, Washington. He added: "We are proud to be the first airline in the world outside Japan to receive this ultra-modern aircraft. It is a continuation of our pioneering role in African aviation and a testimony of the solid partnership we have forged with Boeing over many decades."
"Today marks not just another milestone for Boeing and Ethiopian Airlines, but a new beginning in our 65-year partnership," said Van Rex Gallard, VP sales for Africa, Latin America, & Caribbean, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "Ethiopian Airlines continues to show its strong leadership in African aviation and growing presence around the globe. Being the first in Africa and one of the first in the world further confirms its position globally," he said.
The Dreamliner offers passengers greatly enhanced onboard comfort, with significantly reduced noise, higher level of humidity, the biggest windows in the sky and unique lighting system.
Ethiopian had previously announced that it would rotate its 1st Dreamliner, Africa First, primarily on its African routes.
After receiving its 2nd Dreamliner, Ethiopian plans to deploy the aircraft on its Washington DC route, starting from mid-September 2012.