Ethiopian airlines this week took delivery of the first Airbus A350XWB in the French aeronautics city of Toulouse, becoming the first African carrier to own the new-generation wide-body aircraft and the first airliner in the world to fly the airplane with the capacity of carrying 343 passengers in the African skies.

Ethiopian Airlines’ ordered 14 A350XWB planes and says it will receive "the remaining 13 soon, constantly raising the number of Airbus aircraft in the fleet (and) ensuring the extra comfort".

The new aircraft that is configured with 30 Cloud Nine business class seats, and 318 economy seats will first be deployed on the Addis Ababa and Lagos, and Addis Ababa and Dubai routes.

Ethiopian A350XWB was built for passengers comfort and well-being. Wider seats in both business and economy classes, the lowest twin engine noise level, advanced air conditioning technology and full LED mood lighting enhance the comfort while reducing fatigue after a long flight.

"The fact that we are ushering in another first to Africa in a span of four years is an affirmation of our continuing pioneering role in African aviation”, Tewolde Gebremariam, Ethiopian Group CEO said.

The CEO said the aircraft puts Ethiopia in the highest position in Africa’s aviation industry and will enable it to scale up its services. Airbus A350XWB intensifies the Ethiopian Airlines’ leading position in Africa’s aviation industry.

Ethiopian has named the Airbus A350XWB after Simien Mountains, a national park in the Amhara Regional State of the east African country, and the Simien Mountains is one of Ethiopia’s heritages inscribed in the World Heritage list.

Speaking on the occasion, President Mulatu Teshome of Ethiopia has hailed the Ethiopian Airlines for its being a leading airline in introducing latest technology in the aviation industry.

Workneh Gebeyehu, Ethiopian Minister of Transport, noted that the delivery of the aircraft showcases the attention given for the development of the aviation sector in the country.

The minister hailed the role it plays in enhancing regional economic integration through safe and modern transport system.

Ethiopian commands the lion’s share of the pan-African passenger and cargo network operating the youngest and most modern fleet to 92 international destinations across five continents.

Ethiopian is currently implementing a 15-year strategic plan called Vision 2025 that will see it become the leading aviation group in Africa with seven business centers: Ethiopian Domestic and Regional Airline; Ethiopian International Passenger Airline; Ethiopian Cargo; Ethiopian MRO; Ethiopian Aviation Academy; Ethiopian In-flight Catering Services; and Ethiopian Ground Service. Ethiopian is a multi-award winning airline registering an average growth of 25pc in the past seven years.