► FLEET UPDATE BULLETIN: Air Burkina, Malu Aviation, Skyward Int'l, Jetlink Express, Air Madagascar, Ethiopian Airlines Cargo, Mango, Sahara African Aviation, SKA Aircraft Leasing.

The following is a fleet update bulletin for aircraft that are in use, have been in use or will be in use for these listed airlines: Ethiopian Airlines Cargo, Mango, Sahara African Aviation, SKA Aircraft Leasing, Air Burkina, Malu Aviation, Skyward International Aviation, Jetlink Express, Air Madagascar.

►► UNITED KINGDOM: Ethiopian Cargo to start weekly ops to East Midlands Airport.

[UPDATE SEPTEMBER 4] Ethiopian Airlines (ET) freight division, Ethiopian Airlines Cargo, will launch a once weekly dedicated cargo flight between Addis Ababa and East Midlands Airport, an airport in the East Midlands of England, effective September 1. Flights operate on board a B757-200F.

► ETHIOPIA: (Pic) Ethiopian Airlines in line for first B737-400F.

Ethiopian Airlines (ET) is set to dry-lease a former Brussels Airlines (SN) B737-400 (MSN 28493 | ET-AQV) from global leaser, the Aviation Capital Group, following its conversion into a B737-400(F) freighter. 

► TOGO: Ethiopian Airlines to launch its Lomé cargo hub this week as more planned pax routes to Asia unveiled.

Ethiopian Airlines (ET) are set to launch Lomé, Togo as their second cargo hub outside Addis Ababa with effect from August 15. In addition to a connection to the carrier's Ethiopian primary hub, Lomé will also serve Europe via Liege, Belgium with a twice weekly MD-11F Freighter. Lomé is already the hub or its West African passenger subsidiary, ASKY Airlines (KP).

■ SOUTH SUDAN: Ethiopian Cargo starts 2x weekly Juba ops as exporters eye Asian markets.

Ethiopian Airlines Cargo (ET) has continued its expansion drive into Africa with the recent launch of twice weekly dedicated cargo flights to the South Sudanese capital, Juba. The route will serve to supply the country with fruit and vegetable exports from Ethiopia.

► TOGO: Ethiopian Cargo to set up West African hub based out of Lomé.

Ethiopian Airlines (ET) cargo division, Ethiopian Cargo, is nearing the final stages of setting up a cargo hub in the Togolese capital of Lomé, the carrier has said. Lomé currently acts as a hub for Ethiopian's West African subsidiary, ASKY Airlines (KP), and will shortly play a pivotal role in the airline's plans to launch flights to South America.

► ALGERIA: Air Algérie now eyeing two Ethiopian Airlines MD11Fs for Cargo ops.

Air Algérie (AH) is planning to add two Ethiopian Airlines Cargo McDonnell Douglas MD-11Fs (possibly (MSN 48758 | ET-AML) and (MSN 48780 | ET-AND)) to its Cargo division as part of its fleet renewal and business turnaround plan.

■ ETHIOPIA: Ethiopian Airlines to launch e-freight initiative by year's end.

In a bid to reduce both the amount of paperwork and time needed to process airway bills and other travel documents necessary for cargo shipments, Ethiopian Airlines (ET) will, by the end of the year, introduce e-freight to certain cargo destinations.

► UNITED STATES: Ethiopian Airlines Cargo accepts its first Boeing 777F.

In a ceremony in Seattle, Washington today, Ethiopian Airlines Cargo celebrated another first in its history when it officially took delivery of their first (and Africa's first) of six Boeing 777F (MCN: 41846 | ET-APS) freighters. The first two 777Fs (i.e this one and the next) are on a 10 year dry lease contract from GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS).

► ETHIOPIA: Ethiopian Airlines Cargo set to receive its first Boeing 777F in late September.

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.

► RUSSIA: Ethiopian Airlines Cargo resumes services to Moscow after 22 year hiatus.

After a 22 year hiatus, brought about by the collapse of the Soviet Union and along with it, the Derg Regime of Ethiopian strongman Mengistu Haile Mariam, Ethiopian Airlines Cargo, on 15 August, reintroduced a twice weekly direct Addis Ababa - Moscow, Domodedovo flight using a Boeing 757-200PCF.

Ethiopian Airlines Cargo Boeing 757-200PCF in Moscow (Alexey Viper)

"For the first time in 22 years a direct flight will be performed from Ethiopia to Moscow. Ethiopian Airlines will operate its first cargo flight from Addis Abeba to the capital of Russia. It will be loaded with the beautiful and fragrant cargo – flowers, that are intended to be demonstrated during the “Week of Ethiopian Flowers” exhibition which will be held from 17th to 19th of August at All-Russia Exhibition Center. Starting from August 2012 Ethiopian Airlines will operate regular cargo flights to Domodedovo twice a week. The main cargo goods transported from Ethiopia to Russia include flowers, coffee, olives and beans, gold, leather and spices."

Source [Domodedovo Airport]

In addition to the utilization of the belly space inside Ethiopian Airlines' passenger fleet - B787, B767-300, B757-200, B777-200 LR, B737-700 and B737-800 aircraft - Ethiopian cargo services operates dedicated freighter aircraft namely two Boeing 747-200F, two Boeing 757-200PCF, two McDonnell Douglas MD-11Fs with six Boeing 777F on order - on a charter and scheduled basis. Currently Ethiopian operates over 40 cargo destinations spread across Africa, Europe, Asia and the Middle East via its hub – Addis Ababa, and another cargo hub at Liege in Belgium.