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Wednesday, August 22, 2012

► SOUTH AFRICA: Financial vultures gather around a defiant 1Time as USD40million debt millstone takes its toll.

1Time
Financial news-wires were today abuzz with reports that following an urgent board meeting, 1Time Holdings, parent company to South African LCC 1Time (T6) and Jetworx Aircraft Services, had filed for "Business Rescue" for the two companies (essentially a 3 month long protection period from creditors that may want to file for liquidation while you are turning the business around, more or less equivalent to filing Chapter 11 in the US) as revelations came out that the company has nearly USD40million worth of short term debt to settle with creditors by 31 August, amongst whom are the South African Air Traffic and Navigation Services and various fuel suppliers. Unsurprisingly, by the end of trading today on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, 1Time shares had plunged by 50%.

Under South African Law, 1Time should now pass into the hands of The South African Companies Intellectual Properties Commission (CIPC) who are responsible for approving a Nominated Business Practitioner who in turn will oversee 1Time's business plan reform process over the coming next three months.  How this will impact the airline's Zimbabwean LCC venture - Fresh Air - only recently launched, is uncertain.

An announcement by the CIPC on whether or not 1Time is eligible for "Business Rescue" will be made on Thursday 23 August.

1Time at Harare Airport, Zimbabwe
1Time in Zimbabwe. (Luck Brown)
The filing for "Business Rescue" comes after a very tumultuous first 6 months of the year for the South African carrier in which its previous CEO (Rod James) resigned following a disastrous record USD$18million loss for 2011 blamed on "high fuel prices, fierce competition, weak demand and steep spikes in airport and navigation taxes." In recent weeks, the airlines image has also been damaged as two of its McDonnell Douglas MD83s suffered engine shut downs inflight.

However, despite the bleak outlook, 1Time has managed to retain some prestige as the most punctual airline in South Africa for June and July. CEO Blacky Komani, too, has remained resolute stating:
"It is business as usual and passengers have nothing to fear."

This storm of events and their resultant dire consequences for 1Time are in stark contrast to that of Government run SAExpress (SAX), whose inability to produce audited financial results for their 2010/2011 Financial Year and a subsequent USD120million accounting hole, simply resulted in the dismissal of the board with no apparent legal action brought against anyone. Ah, such is life in the world of parastatals.

We here at The Tribune wish 1Time all the best, as this year so far has proven to be lethal for the South African aviation scene in general: LCC VelvetSky bit the dust in February after only 12 months in the air, whilst traditionally strong Comair Holdings (Kulula and BA Comair's parent company) also took heavy losses, and with global fuel prices set to remain above USD100 per barrel it seems we could be in for an even more interesting Q3 and Q4 for 2012.

Lets just hope that the path to financial solvency is conquered with spirit and innovation, not government handouts and mediocrity.


► TANZANIA: Precision Air increases capacity to Arusha and Mwanza; suspends Johannesburg, Kigoma and Mwanza.

Precision Air Very strong growth in the Tanzanian domestic market has forced Tanzanian carrier Precision Air (PW) to mix, match and in some cases scratch destinations served as demand for aircraft available and profitability on certain routes has stretched the airline to capacity.

► KENYA: Mombasa Air Safari Let410 crashes on take off killing 4 and critically injuring 3.

Mombasa Air Safari logoAnother sad day today in African aviation as a Kenyan registered LET 410 (unconfirmed 5Y-UVP) belonging to Mombasa Air Safari (RRV) crashed on take off from Ngerende Airstrip in the Masai Mara Game Reserve, Kenya bound for Mombasa, killing the two pilots and two German tourists on-board with another three were critically injured. The other four passengers received injuries of varying degrees, though are in a stable condition.

►► SUDAN: Numerous Sudanese government officials killed as Alfa Air Antonov 26 crash claims 32 lives.

Sudan flag
What should have been a day of celebration to mark the end of Ramadan instead turned into a day of national mourning as an Alfa Air Sudan Antonov 26 (MSN: 47302606 | ST-ARL) crashed into a slope in the Nuba mountains south of Talodi, at about 08h00 local time, en route from Khartoum to Talodi, South Kordofan State, killing all 32 (26 passengers and 6 crew) passengers on board.

Alfa Air Sudan An26 Antonov in Khartoum
Alfa Air Sudan An26 (ST-ARL) (UR-SDV)
The Aviation Herald reports that: 
"Local Television reported the aircraft went around on its first attempt to land in Talodi due to weather but did not manage to climb above the terrain during the go-around. Sudan's Civil Aviation Authority reported at the time of the crash, visibility was substantially reduced due to a dust and dirt storm in the area. "
Source [The Aviation Herald]

The Antonov was chartered to take the various officials to Talodi to "congratulate the town's citizens on Eid Al-Fitr."

Wreckage from the Antonov 26 "ST-ARL" Sudan Plane Crash
Wreckage from the An26 "ST-ARL" (Al Shorouk)

Amongst the dead are:
  1. Engineer Ghazi Al-Saddiq - the federal Minister of Guidance and Endowments.
  2. Mahjoub Abdul-Rahim Tutu - the State Minister at the Ministry of Youth and Sports. 
  3. Eissa Daifalla - the State Minister at the Ministry of Tourism, Antiquities and Wildlife. 
  4. Ali Al-Jailani - the Minister of Education of Khartoum State. 
  5. Mekki Ali Balayel - Leader of the Justice Party. 
  6. Mohamed Hassan Al-Jaafari - Commissioner at Headquarters of Khartoum State. 
  7. Tariq Mubarak - Commissioner of Khartoum North. 
  8. Maj. Gen. Salah Ismail - the Air Forces. 
  9. Maj. Gen. Ahmed Musa Ahmed - the Police Forces. 
  10. Maj. Gen. Ahmed Al-Tayeb Abu-Guroon, the Security and Intelligence Organ. 
  11. Brigadier Lugman Omer - Second Commander of the People's Defence Forces. 
  12. Hamid Al-Aghbash - the National Assembly. 
  13. Dr. Mohamed Al-Bakhit Al-Bashir - the Islamic Figih Council. 
  14. Al-Saddiq Abdul-Majid Al-Makkawi - the People's Defence Forces. 
  15. Awadal-Karim Siral-Khatim - Deputy Coordinator of the People's Defence Forces. 
  16. Waeez Salaha Omer - Headquarters of the People's Defence Forces. 
  17. Omer Mahjoub Ahmed - Deputy Coordinator of the People's Defence Forces. 
  18. Salah-Eddin Mustafa - the People's Defence Forces - Jabal Aulia Locality. 
  19. Abdul-Azim Hamza - the National Congress - Khartoum State. 
  20. Abdul-Atti Ahmed - Correspondent of the National Television. 
  21. Al-Sheikh Abdul-Rahim - the media mission. 
  22. Bashir Fadl Al-Sid - Khartoum State Media. 
  23. Abdul-Hai Al-Rabie - the media mission. 
  24. Ismail Abdul-Karim - the media mission. 
  25. Captain Saif-Eddin - Director of Office of Maj. Gen. Abu-Guroon. 
  26. Al-Sayer Mohamed Al-Sayer - the Ministry of Guidance and Endowments. 
27 /28/ 29/ 30/ 31/ 32 - the crew of the plane.


In recent years, Sudan has had numerous aviation accidents and incidents that have severely damaged the country's aviation image. Khartoum has frequently complained that its poor record in air safety is largely due to lack of spare parts for its aircraft caused by US Sanctions.

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

►► EQUATORIAL GUINEA: CEIBA Intercontinental waves Adios to its 777.

CEIBA Intercontinental
The Boeing 777-200LR (3C-LLS) of Equatorial Guinean carrier CEIBA Intercontinental (C2) (with what had to be one of the coolest liveries ever on a Boeing 777) today left Malabo, Equatorial Guinea for Lisbon, Portugal to be re-registered under White Airways (WI), a Portuguese leisure and charter flight operator out of Lisbon, becoming CS-TQX on the Portuguese registry.

CEIBA Intercontinental Boeing 777
(ex) CEIBA Intercontinental Boeing 777-200LR (sabian404)
It is unclear, however, what purpose the 777 served whilst under the CEIBA name, as the Equato-guinean flag-carrier is on the European Union's Banned Operator's List. In all honesty, it wouldn't be a massive surprise if it turned out that the aircraft had originally been bought for exclusive Presidential/VIP usage given Equatorial-Guinean President Teodoro Obiang's family's penchant for the high life and luxury which of late, has come under increasing scrutiny from the international media.



With the departure of the 777, CEIBA is now left with a fleet of two ATR 72-500s, one ATR 42 - 500, one ATR 42-320 and three Boeing 737-800 on order whilst its network consists of Malabo (Equatorial Guinea), Bata (Equatorial Guinea), Cotonou, Douala, Accra, Abidjan, Lomé, Libreville, Pointe Noire and Brazzaville.

[UPDATE]: SkyLinerAviation informs us that the 777 has now been re-registered as CS-TQX and is to be ferried back to Malabo, Equatorial Guinea as of 21 August 2012. Hopefully the plane will now return to operation for CEIBA and we'll see it in possible international service in the near future. Watch this space for further details!

► CANADA: See Pics of RwandAir's first Bombardier CRJ-900NG Jet just out of the paint shop!

RwandAirThe first pictures out of Montreal's Mirabel Airport, Canada have emerged of Rwandan flag carrier RwandAir's (WB) first of two Bombardier Canadair Regional Jet (CRJ) 900NGs (MSN# 15286| 9XR-WH), due for delivery in October of this year. The value of the two CRJ 900s together is USD$185million.

Said RwandAir CEO John Mirenge on signing the contract in March:
"Based on our experience with the CRJ200 aircraft, the dual-class 75-seat CRJ900 NextGen aircraft was the logical upgrade. CRJ900 NextGen aircraft also provide exceptional reliability and have much in common with other CRJ aircraft. These aircraft will be configured with seven business class seats and 68 economy class seats."
Source [Bombardier]

RwandAir CRJ900 '9XR-WH'
RwandAir CRJ900 '9XR-WH' in the paintshop.
RwandAir CRJ900 '9XR-WH'
All done. (RwandAir)
The jets will play a pivotal role in freeing up Rwandair's larger Boeing 737-800s as the carrier seeks to increase its regional footprint in coming months, with much speculation surrounding possible new routes to Lusaka (Zambia), Cape Town (South Africa), and Juba (South Sudan).

► EGYPT: Turkish Airlines to start Hurghada from October.

Turkish Airlines
Turkish Airlines (TK) has continued its push into the Egyptian market by announcing the start of 3x weekly Airbus A319 operated flights between Istanbul and Hurghada, Egypt to start 17 October 2012.

Turkish Airlines Africa Network
Turkish Airlines Africa Network (Updated)
Turkish Airlines: Istanbul, Turkey - Hurghada, Egypt
-Effective 17 October 2012
  • TK702 IST0205 – 0450HRG 319 x567
  • TK703 HRG0635 – 0925IST 319 x567
Source [Airline Route]

Turkish Airlines has an extensive network in Egypt, serving Cairo, Alexandria and Sharm el Sheikh.

Monday, August 20, 2012

► SAUDI ARABIA: Saudia increases capacity to Addis Ababa & Casablanca from October.

Saudia
Saudi Arabian national carrier Saudia (SV) is to increase its capacity on flights between Riyadh and Jeddah to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and Jeddah and Casablanca, Morocco with effect from 28 October 2012.

Sunday, August 19, 2012

► SOUTH AFRICA: Cathay Pacific introduces Premium Economy Class on Johannesburg route from December.

Cathay Pacific
Hong Kong based carrier Cathay Pacific (CX) will from 3 December 2012, introduce a Premium Economy Class on its Boeing 747-400 service between Hong Kong - Johannesburg, South Africa.

Cathay Pacific 747 in Johannesburg, South Africa
Cathay Pacific 747 in Johannesburg (ascendent)
Cathay Pacific: Hong Kong - Johannesburg, South Africa.
- Introduction of Premium Economy on 747-400 aircraft, operating between 03DEC12 & 31JAN13 Day 13 from HKG, Day 24 from JNB from 01FEB13 to 30MAR13 Daily.
  • CX749 HKG 2345 - 0700+1 JNB EQV 1234567
  • CX748 JNB 1230 - 0745+1 HKG EQV 1234567

Thursday, August 16, 2012

► MALAYSIA: Ethiopian Airlines launches Kuala Lumpur from late October 2012.

Ethiopian Airlines
As reported by The African Aviation Tribune in late July, effective 31 October 2012, Ethiopian Airlines (ET) is to start a 3x weekly service from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia via Bangkok, Thailand using a Boeing 767-300ER. 

Ethiopian Airlines 767 at Bangkok, Thailand
Ethiopian Airlines 767 at Bangkok, Thailand (AJori)
The existing Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – Bangkok, Thailand – Hong Kong service is to be reduced from 5x to 4x weekly. Consequently Bangkok will see a daily service once again.

Ethiopian Airlines: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – Bangkok, Thailand – Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
-Effective 31 October 2012
  • ET618 ADD0025 – 1320BKK1430 – 1900KUL 763 357
  • ET619 KUL2150 – 0125+1BKK0240+1 – 0750+1ADD 763 357
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – Bangkok, Thailand
  • ET608 ADD0040 – 1335BKK1435 – 1845HKG 763 x357
  • ET609 HKG2150 – 0100+1BKK0210+1 – 0725+1ADD 763 x357
Source [Airline Route]

►► KENYA: Qatar Airways cancels the relaunch of Mombasa slated for late August 2012.

Qatar Airways
[UPDATED 16 August 2012] After the cancellation of its original launch date of 15 August 2012, Qatari carrier Qatar Airways (QR) will now launch their 3x weekly Doha - Dar es Salaam, Tanzania - Mombasa, Kenya route with an Airbus A320 starting 30 August 2012.

Qatar Airways A320 in Nairobi, Kenya
Qatar Airways in Nairobi (FGottwald)

►►[Update] Once again we got screwed folks. Our source informs us that Qatar Airways has again closed bookings for its Mombasa route effectively canning it for the meantime.



► MAURITIUS: British Airways changes departure times from Spring 2013.

British Airways
British Airways (BA) will, with effect from 31 March 2013, switch its 3x weekly London Gatwick - Mauritius Boeing 777-200 flight to an afternoon departure from its current evening departure. The resultant inbound sector Mauritius - London Gatwick will switch to a daytime flight.

British Airways Boeing 777 in Mauritius
British Airways Boeing 777 in Mauritius (NAS)
British Airways: London Gatwick, UK - Port Louis, Mauritius
- Effective 31 March 2013
  • BA2063 LGW1500 – 0545+1MRU 777 246
  • BA2062 MRU0805 – 1705LGW 777 357

► ALGERIA: Air Algérie to start Nigeria & South Africa flights but axes Beijing.

Air Algérie logoAlgerian national carrier Air Algérie (AH) has joined the growing list of carriers, both African and international, that are turning their focus towards the long neglected African market in the hopes that it will provide the stimulus needed for sustainable long term growth.

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

► UGANDA: Air Uganda to get rid of its last two MD87s.

Air Uganda
In a move that will see it left with a fleet of two Bombardier CRJ-200s, Ugandan carrier Air Uganda (U7) has decided to retire its ageing fleet of McDonnell Douglas MD87s "later this year", according to Swiss aviation site CH-Aviation.

An Air Uganda McDonnell Douglas MD-87 at Entebbe
An Air Uganda McDonnell Douglas MD-87 at Entebbe
Having started out with three of the ex-Iberia aircraft, Air Uganda has subsequently retired 1 from the fleet leaving two which it uses, in addition to its two CRJ-200s, to focus on its regional network consisting of Bujumbura, Nairobi, Mombasa, Kigali, Juba, Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar all served out of its Entebbe hub.

► UNITED STATES: (Pics) Ethiopian Airlines gets the keys to its first of ten 787s and finalizes the $1.2billion loan to pay for them.

Ethiopian airlines
After constant delays pushed back Boeing's 787 Dreamliner launch date by over 3 years, Ethiopian Airlines took delivery of its very own, and Africa's first, Dreamliner to be named "Africa First" (MSN 34745 | ET-AOQ) at a ceremony in Everett, north of Seattle yesterday.
The keys to Africa First Ethiopian 787
The 'keys' to Africa First (Boeing)
"Today begins the first day in a new era of flying for our passengers and brings us even closer to our vision for the future, Vision 2025," said Tewolde GebreMariam, CEO of Ethiopian Airlines. "We are pleased to be the first airline in the world outside Japan to receive this technologically advanced aircraft. We have been waiting for this airplane and now that we officially have it and will show it to the world, I can say with pride, it was worth the wait. This airplane is going to move Ethiopian Airlines to the forefront of aviation leadership around the globe."

The 787 Dreamliner is composed of light-weight composites and features numerous system, engine and aerodynamic advancements making it more efficient to operate compared with its competition. It is the first mid-sized airplane capable of flying long-range routes, enabling airlines to open new, non-stop routes preferred by passengers.

"Today marks not just another milestone for Boeing and Ethiopian Airlines, but a new beginning in our 65-year partnership," said Van Rex Gallard, vice president of Sales for Africa, Latin America, & Caribbean, Boeing Commercial Airplanes.  "Ethiopian Airlines continues to show their strong leadership in African aviation and their growing presence around the globe. Being the first in Africa and one of the first in the world further confirms their position globally."

After taking delivery, Ethiopian will fly its Dreamliner to Washington D.C. where the aircraft will be on display and is expected to be visited by VIP guests and media. The aircraft will then make its inaugural trip to Africa with its first revenue flight from Dulles International Airport to Bole Addis Ababa International Airport.  

Ethiopian Airways has nine more 787 Dreamliners remaining on order. The airline was the first African airline to operate the 777-200LR, the first to order the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, and the first to order the 777 Freighter. Ethiopian Airlines currently operates an all-Boeing fleet of 737, 757, 767 and 777, and now 787 airplanes in passenger service and a 757, MD11 and 747 in cargo operations."
 Source [Boeing]

Also on the trip, Ethiopian put pen to paper with the United States Export Import Bank and secured a loan for USD$1.2billion to pay for the fleet of 10 Boeing 787 Dreamliners, three of which are due for delivery before the end of year.
"The purchase of the Dreamliner required a range of loan arrangements including a loan guarantee that was acquired from The US Export-Import Bank in charge of export credit arrangements in the United States.

The junior lenders, contributing 12.5% of the total amount required for the purchase of the Dreamliners, are Dutch financier ING Capital, the Netherlands Development Financial Company, US Emerging Capital Partners, and US ICF International or Inner City Fund noted Nega.  85% of the loan was arranged through JP Morgan Chase & Co. and the ING Group and Ethiopian Airlines covered the balance.  

The payment of the loan from the major financier, JP Morgan, will be paid back over a 12 year year period said Tewolde, Gebremariam, Chief Executive of the Airline."
 Source [2merkato Ethiopia]

Ethiopian will now fly its Dreamliner "Africa First" to Washington D.C , where the aircraft will be on display to foreign dignitaries amongst whom will be US Senators and House Representatives as well as Ambassadors, Executives from the World Bank and IMF, members of the Ethiopian community, the media and other invited guests. 
It should be noted that since its early days with the Boeing 707 and 720, Ethiopian has maintained a very strong bond with Boeing and its financiers at the Export-Import Bank of the United States.

Thereafter, Ethiopian Airlines on 16 August, will operate its first revenue flight between Washington Dulles – Addis Ababa. The Dreamliner is scheduled to touchdown at Addis Ababa's Bole International Airport on Thursday 16 August 2012 following which the airline will hold massive celebrations.

►►For a list of the various destinations to be visited by the 787 on its tour, see this post.

Now for the part you've all been waiting for, from the ceremony itself:
Ethiopian's first 787 "Africa First"


Ethiopian's first 787


Ethiopian's first 787


Dotting the 'I's and Crossing the 'T's for Ethiopian's first 787


Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for Ethiopian's first 787


Business Class in Ethiopian's first 787

Inside EThiopian's 787
ALL PICTURES COPYRIGHT BOEING (VIA TWITTER)




 CONGRATULATIONS ETHIOPIAN AIRLINES!!!!


Tuesday, August 14, 2012

► SOUTH SUDAN: RwandAir rumoured to start Juba in November as Lagos goes daily from October.

Rwandair
Rwanda's national carrier Rwandair (WB) is rumoured to be considering flights to the South Sudanese capital of Juba after it receives its two Bombardier CRJ900s sometime in October or November of this year according to the usually reliable Wolfganghthome blog.
"From sources in Juba it is understood that the South Sudan capital may well be on the drawing board, either nonstop or via Entebbe, while a number of destinations South of Rwanda are said to be under intense scrutiny vis a vis viability, as is an added West African destination, either stand alone or in combination with the airlines flights to Lagos."

Rwandair's Route Network
Rwandair's Route Network
The African Aviation Tribune has already reported on another much anticipated Rwandair route: that of Lusaka, Zambia and Cape Town, South Africa, which too, should come into effect after the arrival of the new jets, thereby freeing up their Boeing 737-800s for longer, more fetching routes.

As always, we'll keep you updated on the latest developments.

Meanwhile, the Rwandan High Commissioner to Nigeria, Joseph Habineza, recently announced plans for the airline to start a daily Kigali - Lagos, Nigeria service effective October 2012, in addition to a cargo service. Rwandair currently serves Lagos from its Kigali hub three times weekly.
"Habineza at a forum with stakeholders in Lagos said, “We can easily go to Europe or America but traveling within Africa is pretty difficult. But we want to break this barrier. In October, we will start daily flight from Lagos to Kigali. From Kigali they can connect East and Southern Africa, Dubai and other parts of the world.” While adding that the cargo business would soon start, he said the routes expansion became necessary owing to increased traffic to Rwanda from Nigeria."

As Mr Habineza mentioned, Rwandair has indeed focussed its energies on expanding its African network over expanding into Europe and the US - certainly a very prudent move to take given Europe's stagnant economies - which, despite its false allure and prestige, has often been the bane of many African carriers and start ups.

► ITALY: Air Arabia Maroc to start Marrakech - Milan from October.

Air Arabia logoAir Arabia Maroc (3O), the LCC joint venture between various Moroccan investors and Air Arabia (G9), is to start a once (1x) weekly Sunday service between Marrakech, Morocco and Milan (Bergamo), Italy effective 28 October 2012. The flight will operate with an Airbus A320.

► BOTSWANA: Air Botswana BAe146 suffers substantial engine damage following aborted take off in Gaborone.

Air Botswana
On Saturday 11th August 2012, an Air Botswana (BP) Avro RJ85 (MSN# 1160 | A2-ABF) performing flight BP 205 from Gaborone, Botswana to Johannesburg, South Africa with 28 passengers aboard, suffered a #2 engine failure during its take off roll at Sir Seretse Khama International Airport.

Air Botswana BAe146 'A2-ABF' Incident in Gaborone
The Air Botswana BAe146 'A2-ABF' in happier times  (KeithB)
"During the take-off roll, one of the engines failed and it is reported that it spat out debris. It is the hot debris from the engine that caused a small grass fire adjacent to the runway. The commander of the aircraft, Captain Adam Kereng reported that indications in the flight deck showed a malfunction of the number two engine, and therefore the take-off was aborted in compliance with standard operating procedures for this type of failure.
Once the aircraft had stopped, the passengers were disembarked and taken to the terminal building where they were briefed on the exact nature of the problem, and also on the alternative aircraft that would be made available for them to complete their flights to Johannesburg."
Source [Air Botswana]

Passengers did however complain to the Botswana press after the incident, claiming that they were "made to wait for more than 10 minutes inside the aircraft which continued to produce a cloud of smoke" and subsequently, had "to wait another 40 minutes before a minibus picked them up, as no senior personnel at Air Botswana showed up to address them, except the airhostess who also looked panicky."

Passengers were rebooked onto other flights thereafter whilst the stricken Avro (also known as a Bae 146-100) was towed away to a hangar. Fortunately, the airline is due to receive another BAe146 in coming weeks as part of Air Botswana's fleet renewal plan.

The Botswana Accident Investigations Department at the Ministry of Transport is investigating the accident.
 

Monday, August 13, 2012

► SOUTH SUDAN: Kush Air to take delivery of an Antonov AN-12.

Kush Air
South Sudanese carrier and charter company Kush Air is set to receive an Antonov An-12 (MSN# 347007 | ST-KNR) joining its Let 410 and Fokker 50 (MSN# 20204 | 5Y-BYE) turboprop leased from Kenya’s Skyward Aviation International.

Kush Air South Sudan
Kush Air's Fokker 50 (Andreas Fotopoulos)

► ETHIOPIA: Ethiopian Airlines debuts daily 787 flights to Washington DC from September.

Ethiopian Airlines
With its first Boeing 787 due on Tuesday, Ethiopian Airlines (ET) has announced its new début Boeing 787 Dreamliner destination will be Washington DC, which will receive a daily 787 flight from Addis Ababa effective 20 September 2012. Currently the flight is flown with a Boeing 777-200LR.

Ethiopian Airlines 787 ET-AOQ Dreamliner Boeing
ET-AOQ: due for delivery Tuesday 14 August 2012 (moonm)
Guangzhou, China was originally slated to be Ethiopian's 787 launch destination, but was later dropped.

Ethiopian Airlines:Addis Ababa, Ethiopia - Washington DC, USA
-Effective 20 September 2012
  • ET500 ADD2215 – 0325+1FCO0425+1 – 0840+1IAD 787 D
  • ET501 IAD1115 – 0745+1ADD 787 D

For a list of Ethiopian's Dream-Tour 787 Destinations, see this post.