In a press statement today, Ethiopian Airlines announced that its Cargo division, Ethiopian Airlines Cargo will, on 19 September 2012, receive its
first of six B777 Freighters it ordered in October 2011, with a second due in October 2012 and the rest to come in 2014.
The two aircraft are part of an agreement signed in 2011 by Ethiopian Cargo to dry lease two Boeing 777Fs on a 10 year contract from GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS). The other four Boeing 777F aircraft due in 2014 will be Ethiopian's outright.
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On the event and the 777F, Ethiopian Airlines CEO, Tewolde GebreMariam said:
"The B777 Freighter aircraft is unparalleled in its category with its long-range capability, exceptional cargo uplift, special capabilities in temperature control for fresh produce and life science materials, and fuel efficiency. As a result, we will deploy this aircraft on longer routes for carriage of flowers, fruits, and vegetables to expand and improve our cargo services."
The new 777 Freighters will form part of Ethiopian's growing cargo fleet which presently consists of two Boeing 747-200F, two Boeing 757-200PCF and two McDonnell Douglas MD-11Fs and will provide adequate capacity for Ethiopia's fast growing horticultural products export market.