► ETHIOPIA: Ethiopian Airlines set to receive first 787 in early August.

After incessant production line delays continuously pushed back its slated date of entry by 3 years, Ethiopian Airlines (ET) has officially announced that it will take delivery of its first Boeing 787 Dreamliner in "early August" though when exactly, is not yet known. Presently, its first Dreamliner (ET-AOQ/ MSN 34745) is said to have completed its initial flight worthiness tests and has already entered the paint shop.

Ethiopian has an order for 10 Dreamliners and is the first African airline to receive the aircraft.

Ethiopian's first 787 (ET-AOQ) in Seattle (Puget Sound)

"Ethiopian is pleased to announce that its Boeing 787 Dreamliner is in the final stages of preparation for delivery in August 2012. The first Ethiopian Dreamliner left the Boeing assembly plant in Seattle, Washington and headed to San Antonio, Texas on Thursday, July 12, 2012 to be painted in Ethiopian livery.

The Ethiopian Dreamliner, having conducted its first test flight on Monday, July 9, 2012, will stay in San Antonio for 12 days. After being painted with Ethiopian logo, the Dreamliner will fly back to Seattle where Ethiopian will take delivery in early August.

Ethiopian is proud to be the first in Africa to fly this much awaited, state-of-the-art aircraft, and is pleased to offer its passengers the ultimate travel experience on board this aircraft"

Read More Here [Ethiopian Airlines]

Ethiopian has scheduled Johannesburg and Dubai to start 787 services effective 1 August 2012, Guangzhou from 16 August 2012, and Harare and Lusaka from 28 October 2012.