CAIRO: Ethiopia Airlines on Tuesday announced it had finalized a loan deal worth $1.2 billion to finance the purchase of Boeing's Dreamliner aircraft. The initial deal to set the loan process in motion was concluded last year according to Nega Mekonnen, Vice-President of Corporate Finance of Ethiopia. Ethiopian Airlines said it is “proud to be the first airline from Africa, Europe, Americas and Middle East to take delivery of the Dreamliner, and to be able to offer its passengers the ultimate travel experience on-board this game changing aircraft” before other carriers in Africa. “The fact that we are the first airline outside Japan to receive this ultra modern aircraft is an affirmation of our continuing pioneering role in African aviation. It is also a testimony of our commitment to give our passengers the best possible travel experience, with the best industry products and services," said Tewolde Gebremariam, CEO of Ethiopian. After taking delivery, Ethiopian will fly its Dreamliner to Washington DC the next day, where the aircraft will be on display. During the exhibition, Ethiopian Dreamliner is expected to be visited by 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. Ethiopian Dreamliner, the first to be received by a non-Japanese carrier, will make its historic trip to Africa and will touchdown at Bole Addis Ababa International Airport on August 16. The airline will hold celebrations in Addis Ababa for the arrival of the aircraft and will soon announce its first Dream destinations.
