The aircraft landed at about 11:45 am local time from Addis Ababa with 395 passengers on board to a welcome water salute, as it pulled in to park at C7 of the Terminal 3 of the Kotoka International Airport.
Currently Ethiopian Airlines operates a total of 155 aircraft including 21 A350-900 and it has 72 aircraft on its order book including Boeing’s latest B777X.
Captain Firomssa Chala Gossa, speaking at AviationGhana shortly after landing the Ethiopian Airlines’ A350-1000 aircraft, said: “[ The A350-1000] “saves fuel and at the same time very quiet. For Ethiopian Airlines, Africa is where our heart is. In general, we focus on Africa. We are connecting Africa to the World. When it comes to Africa, Accra is among the first, that’s why we chose to fly [ the A350-1000] here.”
The A350-1000 is the first to be delivered to Africa and Ethiopian Airlines is the only one operating it now. It has a seating capacity 46 seats in business class, and 395 economy seats.
This state-of-the-art aircraft is the first to feature Thales’s AVANT Up inflight entertainment system and the HBC+ connectivity system, providing travellers with luxurious amenities, spacious seating, large screens, and a unique landscape camera. With direct aisle access for all business class seats, convenience is prioritized.
The A350-1000 boasts a revolutionary design with innovative aerodynamics and a carbon-fiber fuselage, powered by the fuel-efficient Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines, ensuring a quieter, smoother journey for long-haul travel. This launch marks a transformative moment for Ethiopian Airlines and sets new standards for the African aviation sector, aligning with the airline’s ambitious Vision 2035 plan.