ETHIOPIAN Airlines has relaunched its 787 Dreamliner fleet that also services the Zambian route with a direct flight from Addis Ababa to Lusaka.
The 787 Dreamliner fleet was grounded three months ago by the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) after a problem was detected on the aircraft’s battery system.
But following the FAA’s approval of the improved battery system, Ethiopian Airlines yesterday became the first airline to resume Dreamliner services.
Ethiopian Airlines Senior Vice President for Global Sales Esaya Woldemariam Hailu said Africa’s fastest growing airline relaunched its 787 Dreamliner fleet with a flight to Nairobi, Kenya.
Mr Hailu said after the relaunch 787 Dreamliner fleet would continue servicing the airline’s flagship routes including Lusaka which was among the first destinations the much sought-about aircraft first landed in Africa.
“We were told that most of Ethiopian passengers couldn’t wait for our 787 fleet to be flying again, the good news is that we are the first carrier to resume 787 services,” he said.
He said the Ethiopian Airlines 787 Dreamliner fleet did not suffer any technical hitch but that the airline ground operations in compliance with authorities.
Mr Hailu said safety was the airline’s priority and that even the decision to resume the 787 Dreamliner was arrived at on approval from technicians.
“The FAA approved the improvements to the 787 battery system. Dreamliner is back to provide unrivalled passenger comfort and a revolutionarry flying experience,” he said.
The relaunch of the Ethiopian Airlines 787 Dreamliner created as much hype with the world media swamping Addis Ababa airport to witness the giant aircraft make its way from the hangar.
The Japanese Government on Friday also gave a green light to airlines in the Far East country with 787 Dreamliner service to start using their fleet.
The move follows the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration’s decision to allow 787s to fly again effective Friday after approving Boeing’s modified battery system last week, even though the root cause of the problem has not been found.
Transport minister Akihiro Ota said on Friday morning that multiple measures have been taken to eliminate fire risks, playing down any remaining safety concerns.
He said in an effort to restore the trust of the flying public, the ministry will ask ANA and JAL to apply voluntary safety measures, such as enhancing monitoring of battery voltage.
Aviation authorities worldwide grounded the 787 after one operated by ANA made an emergency landing at Takamatsu Airport in Kagawa Prefecture on January 16th due to smoke in the cockpit.
That’s great news, the 787 Dreamliner aircraft is the best in the aviation history after the airbus A380.Lusaka Kenneth Kaunda international airport is really privileged to have this great aircraft to land on its tarmac
787 flies to Lusaka? That’s cool
but why are thy fooling us, they never stoped using tha Koffin even when it was grounded,, i know some people who used it when comming to zambia
after grounding 787, they were using 777, its also big and comfortable but off-course not as good as 787
Sir/madam betters, they actually stopped. They had resorted to the 777… I flew on the 787 just before the problems began; when going back we flew the 777 (I stayed in Zed for a while).
We are waiting for our Zambian 787 Boeing to land at KK LAN direct from Chine or singapore
Its a beautiful aircraft, roomy & much quieter and a lovely experience getting into KK airport on it
When will Zambia Airways come back, we are busy making Ethiopia Richer by the day. Can’t we just let Nkwazi return??