Ethiopian Airlines has solidified its position as the technical heartbeat of African aviation by successfully completing the continent’s first-ever full strip-and-paint program for the Airbus A350-900. The landmark project, finalized on two of the carrier’s widebody aircraft this week, represents a significant leap in the airline’s Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) capabilities and technical self-reliance.

This achievement follows closely on the heels of the airline developing similar capabilities for its Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet earlier this year. Both the A350 and the 787 are built primarily from advanced composite structures, which require specialized chemical treatments and application methods far more complex than those used for traditional aluminum aircraft. To meet these demands, the airline’s modern paint shop utilizes state-of-the-art technologies, including High-Volume Low-Pressure (HVLP) and electrostatic spray systems to ensure precision and durability.

Mr. Mesfin Tasew, Group CEO of Ethiopian Airlines, emphasized that the completion of the project is a testament to the carrier's ongoing investment in world-class infrastructure. He noted that the ability to handle these advanced widebody structures in-house strengthens the airline’s operational resilience and elevates its global standing. Beyond the immediate technical success, the move is designed to curb costs and generate new revenue streams by offering these premium services to third-party airlines across the region and the Middle East.

The breakthrough is part of a broader infrastructure surge at the airline’s Addis Ababa hub. In July 2024, the group inaugurated a $150 million MRO expansion, which added a two-bay hangar and a massive component workshop to its existing facilities. With a technical workforce of over 3,000 employees and nearly six decades of maintenance experience, Ethiopian MRO is now equipped to manage the painting and coating needs of almost any modern airframe in service today.

This milestone aligns with the airline’s "Vision 2035" strategy, which aims to position Ethiopian as one of the world's top 20 most competitive aviation groups. By mastering the intricate maintenance requirements of the world’s most advanced aircraft, the airline is ensuring that Africa remains a self-sufficient player in the global aerospace industry, rather than relying on facilities in Europe or Asia.

As the carrier continues to bridge the gap between Africa and the world through its 160 destinations, its technical division is proving to be a "true African success story." The mastery of composite painting is not just a win for the airline’s brand but a critical development for the continent’s broader economic and technical landscape.

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Ethiopian Airlines Reaches New Heights with African-First A350 Technical Milestone