Ethiopian Airlines announced yesterday that it will buy ten new Boeing 787 jets, doubling the number of firm orders it announced earlier this year.

As part of the initial order, announced back in April, the airline said it would buy five of the long-range Dreamliner jets outright, and obtained purchase rights for a further five. Those purchase rights were exercised on Tuesday, and the airline plans to take delivery of its first 787 in 2008.

The Chicago-based Boeing Company said the deal was worth about US $1.6 billion at list prices.

The deal means Ethiopian Airlines will become the first Africa based operator to fly the Boeing 787 jets.

When the original announcement was made in April Girma Wake, the EA Chief Executive Officer, said Ethiopian Airlines was “delighted” that it will be the first to launch operations in Africa of the “technologically advanced, revolutionary plane.”

“The agreement for the purchase of the Boeing 787 planes heralds a bright future and Ethiopian Airlines will play a major role in the modernisation and expansion of civil aviation in Africa.”

"We view this airplane as a cutting-edge solution to bolster our passenger service, and improve our efficiencies," he added.

Scott Carson, Vice-President of Sales for Boeing Commercial Airlines, said “Boeing welcomes Ethiopian Airlines with pride as our African launch customer.”

Ethiopian Airlines flies more than a million passengers a year and operates services to 44 international and 30 domestic destinations.

ENDS