BOMBADIER Commercial Aircraft and Ethiopian Airlines have signed an agreement for the purchase of two additional Q400 turboprop airliners that will bring the airlines’ Q400 aircraft to a total of 19, the largest total fleet in Africa.

The airline stated that based on the list price of the Q400 aircraft, the transaction is valued at approximately $63 million US

According to the group’s Chief Executive Officer, Ethiopian Airlines, Tewolde Gebremariam: “We are continuously working to have the right fleet with agility, optimal range, load and passenger comfort which is critical for us to keep our leadership position in the market”.

“The Q400 aircraft continues to be an integral part of our expansion strategy in Africa. Through our strategic partnerships with ASKY Airlines in Togo and Malawian Airlines in Malawi, the Q400 airliner has played a vital role in availing convenient connections, as well as increasing frequencies to support air travel growth in Africa and successfully create a missing link,” said Gebremariam

“The Q400 aircraft is also our core fleet to our domestic and regional destinations, thereby ensuring excellent passenger experience, operational flexibility and economics”. We continue to work with Bombardier to support and maintain the aircraft through our approved Q400 Authorized Service Facility and our Q400 aircraft simulator,” added he.

Also, the President, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft, Fred Cromer said: “The Q400 turboprop continues to make impressive headway in Africa and has proven its ruggedness and reliability in challenging operational environments where its hot and high capability, jet-like speed and high rate of climb are significant assets.