ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, Dec. 11, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Boeing’s
(NYSE: BA) 787 Dreamliner touched down in Ethiopia’s capital today to kick off
the Africa portion of Boeing’s 787 Dream Tour – a six-month worldwide tour
featuring the Dreamliner. This is the first time the Dreamliner has visited the
African continent.
The Dream Tour airplane will be in Addis Ababa, the capital
of Ethiopia and home to Ethiopian Airlines, Dec. 11-14 before it travels to
Nairobi, Kenya. During the four-day stop, Ethiopian Airlines executives and
employees, government officials and other guests will have a chance to view the
airplane, including the interior.
“Aviation throughout Africa continues to grow at a pace
faster than the world average and it is airplanes like the game-changing 787,
and airlines like Ethiopian Airlines, that will help spur that growth,” said
Van Rex Gallard, vice president of Sales for Africa, Latin America &
Caribbean, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “The 787 is the perfect airplane to
carry Africa into the future of aviation due to its low operating costs, size and
range. Boeing is very pleased to showcase this airplane to the customers who
put their faith in Boeing and the cutting-edge technology of this airplane.”
The airplane, ZA003, was originally used for flight testing
but has been elegantly refurbished to showcase the standard capabilities and
features of the 787 including an interior that highlights the many
passenger-preferred features of the airplane.
“Ethiopian Airlines will be the first airline in Africa to
operate this great new flying machine,” said Tewolde Gebremariam, CEO of
Ethiopian Airlines. “Ethiopian Airlines is very pleased to welcome the
Dreamliner to Addis Ababa. Being able to see firsthand the many benefits the
airplane promises to bring like the biggest windows in the industry, spacious
cabin, LED-lighting, and other interior features was a great experience when
the airplane arrived. Our valued passengers will also soon be able to see and
experience the many benefits of this technological marvel.”
Made from composite materials, the Boeing 787 Dreamliner is
the first mid-size airplane capable of flying long-range routes and will allow
airlines to open new, non-stop routes preferred by the traveling public. As a
result of innovative technologies, the airplane offers unparalleled operating
economics, fuel efficiency and passenger comfort. More than 800 787s are on
order by more than 50 airlines, a testament to the airplane’s unique
capabilities.
Source: redOrbit (http://s.tt/14Ngk)
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