► MOROCCO: (Pics) Delivery of Royal Air Maroc's 787s deferred until late 2014.

Originally due in Q4 of this year, Morocco's national carrier, Royal Air Maroc (AT), will only, according to press reports, be taking delivery of its first two Boeing 787 Dreamliners in Q4 2014, which now means that Kenya Airways (KQ) will be the second African operator of the type after Ethiopian Airlines (ET), if their Boeing 787 order comes through in late 2013.

► 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.

► ETHIOPIA: Ethiopian postpones B787 service 'til August.

It seems the delayed entry into service of Ethiopian Airlines' (ET) Boeing 787 Dreamliner will have a knock on effect, as its first route Addis Ababa - Johannesburg, has been postponed 'til 1st August 2012.

Ethiopian's first Dreamliner in Seattle 2011.

• Addis Ababa – Dubai ET600/601 Delayed from 15JUN12 to 01AUG12 (777-200LR operating from 15JUN12 to 15JUL12, 767-300ER from 16JUL12 to 31JUL12)
• Addis Ababa – Johannesburg Delayed from 15JUN12 to 01AUG12 (767-300ER operating from 15JUN12 to 31JUL12)

                Planned Boeing 787 service on following routes remains unchanged:

• Addis Ababa – Harare 4 weekly (Day x246) eff 16SEP12
• Addis Ababa – Lusaka 3 weekly (Day 246) eff 18SEP12

Read More Here [Airline Route] 

► ETHIOPIA: Ethiopian Airlines prepares for the arrival of its maiden 787.

Ethiopian Airlines (ET) has been busying itself getting ready for the arrival of the first of its 10 Boeing 787, to be delivered sometime in summer of 2012, though exact dates have yet to be announced.

While in Seattle to meet with Boeing executives to discuss delivery of the airline’s first 787 Dreamliners, the CEO of Ethiopian Airlines, Mr. Tewolde Gebremariam took a special tour of the Ethiopian first 787 to be delivered later this year. Mr. Tewolde met with Jim Albaugh, president and CEO of Commercial Airplanes; as well as Larry Loftis, 787 vice president and general manager; and other program leaders to discuss the airline’s first delivery and to receive an update on the 787 program and production.

“With our first delivery fast approaching, it was important for me to be in Seattle to meet with the leadership team there to make sure we are on track for our delivery and see how our first airplane is progressing,” said Mr. Tewolde Gebremariam.

Read More Here [Ethiopian Airlines]

ET's 787 patiently awaits its engines (© David Lednicer)

Crew training has also been completed, with 8 pilots successfully completing their training at London's Gatwick Airport.

“This is an important milestone in the history of Ethiopian Airlines,” said Captain Desta Zeru, Senior Vice President of Flight Operations for Ethiopian Airlines. “Our pilots are now qualified as the first African pilots to fly the 787.

"We are proud to support Ethiopian Airlines as they grow their business with the 787 Dreamliner," said Roei Ganzarski, chief customer officer, Boeing Flight Services. "World class training for a world class airplane is part of the Boeing Edge we work hard to provide to our customers."

Read More Here [Ethiopian Airlines]

The launch destination for Ethiopian's Dreamliner will be Johannesburg, following which it will be deployed on the Addis Ababa - Harare, Addis Ababa - Lusaka, Addis Ababa - Dubai and Addis Ababa - Guangzhou routes.