Ethiopian To Take Delivery Of First A350-1000, Lists Initial Routes

Ethiopian Airlines is set to take delivery of its first Airbus A350-1000, with an initial four routes tentatively scheduled to be served using the aircraft type.

The airline says the largest variant of the A350 family will arrive in November, making it the first African carrier to operate the model. Ethiopian has four of the 395-seat aircraft type scheduled for delivery, according to the CAPA Fleet Database, following an order placed in 2022.

The carrier originally listed London Heathrow Airport as the inaugural destination to receive A350-1000 service, with a start date scheduled for early November. However, the airline is yet to officially confirm when the aircraft will enter service.

According to OAG Schedules Analyser data, four routes will be served using the equipment from March 25, 2025, at the start of the summer season. They are from Addis Ababa to Accra, Lagos, London Heathrow and Washington Dulles, operating via Rome Fiumicino on the westbound leg.

The planned introduction of the new A350-1000 comes as the carrier confirmed that flights to Monrovia, Liberia, will resume in November. The move marks its return to the country after a 14-year absence.

Nonstop flights between Addis Ababa Bole International Airport and Monrovia Roberts International Airport will start on Nov. 30, operating three times per week using 787-8s. The service will then continue onto Conakry, Guinea. The move will see Ethiopian’s existing one-stop service between Addis Ababa and Conakry that operates via Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, switch to Monrovia.

“Our resumption of flights to Monrovia underscores our dedication to bridging communities and fostering economic growth in West Africa,” says Mesfin Tasew, group CEO of Ethiopian Airlines.

Earlier in October, the carrier launched a new daily route between Addis Ababa and Port Sudan, Sudan, marking the 66th destination in the airline’s African network.