
It launched Lome-based ASKY Airlines in January (ATWOnline, January 21 [2]). CEO Girma Wake previously told ATWOnline that Ethiopian has a 25% stake in ASKY, which has a diverse ownership spread among individuals and institutions in 11 African countries. The carrier operates to 11 destinations and will take delivery of its third 737NG during the summer. ASKY has become profitable already, Wake told ATWOnline this week on the sidelines of the IATA AGM in Berlin.He said ET is evaluating launching additional airlines in southern or northern Africa. But first we want to [solidify] ASKY, he explained. He did not rule out investing in existing African carriers. We are talking to [some airlines], he revealed. A further possibility could be to join forces with another major African airline to launch a startup, he said. He also reiterated that ET would like to join Star Alliance.ET operates 26 jet aircraft (including a freighter fleet of two 747Fs, two MD-11Fs and two 757-200Fs) and nine turboprops We take delivery of our first 777-200LR this autumn, Wake said A total of five 777-200LRs will arrive through July 2011 It will take delivery of three 737-800s during the remainder of this year He added that delivery of the carrier’s first 787 is confirmed for July 2011 It has 10 787s on order.
