Air Transport

Ethiopian Airlines is looking to supplement its Boeing 787 order with another five widebodies, but may opt to split its fleet and acquire Airbus A350s.

The airline was an early customer for the 787, with 10 on order for delivery from September 2008. Chief executive Girma Wake says that Ethiopian is aiming to almost double its revenue by 2010 from $600 million to $1 billion. "We currently carry 1.7 million passenger and want to increase this to 3 million. Our jet equipment now numbers 19 aircraft, and we want to have 30 by 2010."

Seven 787s are due to have been delivered by that time, says Girma, who adds that the airline is planning to order additional widebodies: "We are likely to order five more 787s or A350s." Ethiopian plans to increase destinations from 46 to 60, and is building a new terminal at its Addis Ababa base to handle a growing cargo business, which accounts for $94 million of its revenues.

The airline plans to lease a McDonnell Douglas DC-10F or Boeing MD-11F to add to the two 757-200Fs currently operated.