ADDIS ABABA: Ethiopian Airlines maiden Dreamliner trip touched down at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport on Friday morning, hearkening in a new era of aviation for the African continent. The Dreamliner had flown from Washington DC's Dulles international Airport after a display for VIPs, including members of US Congress, the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) executives, ambassadors, as well as members of the Ethiopian Diaspora and media. In greeting the flight, Hailemariam Desalegn, Ethiopia's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, told reporters, “The arrival of the Dreamliner is an affirmation of Ethiopian Airlines' commitment to play a leading role in the development of our country through the provision of the best possible, reliable and fast expanding air service." Ethiopia Airlines CEO Tewolde Mariam said, “We are celebrating today the arrival of our firs 787 dreamliner on African Soil. With this arrival, Ethiopian has once again demonstrated that it continues to be the pioneer in African aviation by being the first airline in the world, outside Japan, to take delivery of the most technologically advanced commercial aircraft. This is a great success not only for Ethiopian but for the African Aviation in general." The air carrier has already ordered 10 Dreamliners in total, five of which will arrive before December. The airline has already announced rotating destinations, primarily in Africa, for its 1st Dreamliner. In mid- September, when the airline receives its 2nd Dreamliner, it plans to deploy the aircraft for its Washington DC route, the company said.