De Havilland Canada Wins Ethiopian Airlines Commitment For Twin Otters

LE BOURGET—Ethiopian Airlines is buying two new Twin Otter Classic 300-G aircraft, De Havilland Canada announced at the Paris Air Show June 17, a move the carrier said would help its strategy of expanding domestic connectivity.

“This acquisition marks the introduction of the 300-G into Ethiopian Airlines’ fleet and underscores the carrier’s commitment to connecting communities across diverse and remote regions of Ethiopia and East Africa,” De Havilland said.

The Twin Otter Classic 300-G is the latest evolution of the Twin Otter family; its short-takeoff-and-landing performance make it suitable for operations in areas with challenging terrain and limited infrastructure.

The aircraft will be delivered in amphibious gear and will be deployed to strengthen Ethiopian Airlines’ domestic and regional network, enabling the airline to access underserved airstrips, remote locations and Ethiopia’s Great Lakes regions with greater frequency and reliability.

The aircraft can be used in a cargo as well as passenger configuration, meaning it can be flown for humanitarian and medical purposes as well as commercial operations.

“The addition of the Twin Otter 300-G to our fleet reflects our strategy to expand domestic connectivity and support socioeconomic growth in Ethiopia and across Africa,” said Mesfin Tasew, group CEO of Ethiopian Airlines. “We selected the 300-G for its proven performance in difficult environments and its modern enhancements that align with our operational and sustainability goals. The aircraft will be configured with additional equipment for multifunction missions including air ambulance, airport calibration and charter services.”

At the recent International Air Transport Association annual general meeting in India, Tasew told Aviation Week that Ethiopian Airlines had acquired two new Airbus A350-900s originally destined for Chinese carrier Sichuan Airlines as part of its effort to maintain its broader growth strategy, with deliveries due in June and July to bolster its existing A350 fleet.

At the time, he said, “Shortage of aircraft is a serious challenge for us now, and we are constantly looking because we still need more airplanes.”