Ethiopian delays South America flights to July

ETHIOPIAN DELAYS SOUTH AMERICA FLIGHTS ONCE AGAIN

As with other delays in commencing flights has Ethiopian Airlines now conceded that their planned flights to Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo will be pushed back by at least another month.

This development is likely caused by the lack of available aircraft while the airline’s prized B787 Dreamliners remain grounded as Boeing is awaiting clearance by the American FAA and the NTSB to attain airworthiness status and let the birds back into the air. This has prompted the airline to continue using B767 aircraft on routes where the B787 was due to fly, leaving in particular planned new destinations hanging in limbo.

The tentative routing of the service will be Addis Ababa – Lome – Rio de Janeiro – Sao Paulo – Lome – Addis Ababa, presently planned to launch on the 01st of July with B767-300ER aircraft. ET has reportedly secured traffic rights between all points except for the Rio de Janeiro – Sao Paulo sector.

For most travelers from Africa this will be the most direct route to South America, when finally launched and with Ethiopian Airline’s extensive coverage of Eastern Africa the planned flights, though with multi stops enroute, will avoid to travel to the Gulf or Europe first before connecting to Rio or Sao Paulo. When final confirmation of the launch is received it will be published here. Watch this space for breaking and regular aviation news from Eastern Africa.