Ethiopian signs MoU with Aerosud Group to establish Aerospace Manufacturing Industry in Ethiopia

Ethiopian Airlines has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Aerosud Holdings, a   prominent    South African Aerospace Manufacturing company, at  a ceremony held at  Ethiopian  Headquarters on July 15, 2016.

The MoU is aimed at establishing a joint venture Aerospace Manufacturing company that manufactures and supplies various aircraft parts to Boeing, Airbus and other Aerospace companies.

Mr. Tewolde GebreMariam, Group CEO Ethiopian Airlines, remarked, pursuant to our government’s industrialization policy embedded in the five years  Growth and Transformation Plan (GTPII), we have reached into an agreement with Aerosud Group to establish  and develop  labor-intensive Aerospace manufacturing Industry. It is my sincere belief that, the establishment of these facilities will surely  create significant  job opportunities for the young, educated task force and be another face of the industrial park development task that is being carried out in the Country. The manufacturing facilities, that will be set up in due course, are expected to be located in the vicinity of Bole International Airport for good reasons of economy of scale and ease of import/export transportation. At last, I would like to thank all who worked hard towards the conclusion of this agreement.”

Mr. Johan Steyn ,Managing director of Aerosud Group, commented ” we are happy to establish this joint venture with Ethiopian Airlines and we would like to share  Aerosud’s long years of experience  working with major Aircraft Manufactures such as Boeing and Airbus  and  help Ethiopian in the development of the aerospace manufacturing industry in the Country”

In a feasibility study to determine potential areas of manufacturing, Ethiopian has held rigorous  discussions with Aircraft manufacturing companies such as Boeing, Bombardier and other aerospace manufacturing companies.

About Ethiopian

Ethiopian Airlines (Ethiopian) is the fastest growing Airline in Africa. In its seven decades of operation, Ethiopian has become one of the continent’s leading carriers, unrivalled in efficiency and operational success.

Ethiopian commands the lion’s share of the pan-African passenger and cargo network operating the youngest and most modern fleet to 93 international destinations across five continents. Ethiopian fleet includes ultra-modern and environmentally friendly aircraft such as Airbus A350, Boeing 787, Boeing 777-300ER, Boeing 777-200LR, Boeing 777-200 Freighter, Bombardier Q-400 double cabin with an average fleet age of five years. In fact, Ethiopian is the first airline in Africa to own and operate these aircraft.

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 25% in the past seven years.

Source: Ethiopian Airlines Press Release