Ethiopian Dreamliner used to assist Black Lion Hospital

Ethiopian Airlines in partnership with Boeing and Seattle Anesthesia Outreach (SAO) delivers approximately 20,000 pounds (9,000 kilograms) of medical supplies to Black Lion Teaching and Referral Hospital – Ethiopia’s largest hospital. The delivery was made using Ethiopian third 787 Dreamliner, marking the first time a Dreamliner has been used as part of Ethiopian and Boeing’s Humanitarian Delivery Flights program.

“Ethiopian continues its pioneering role in African aviation by taking delivery and operating the 787 ahead of many airlines and at the same time broadens its contribution in social responsibility activities in Ethiopia.” said Tewolde Gebremariam, Chief Executive Officer of Ethiopian Airlines. “As the flag carrier of Ethiopia, we are viewed as not only an airline but also as a source of vital service for the people of Ethiopia. This is a testimony of our commitment to give not only our passengers the best possible travel experience, but also giving back to the community where we operate.”

The shipment includes several anesthesia machines to be used in the hospital’s operating rooms, equipment for monitoring patients in intensive care, operating rooms and the post-surgery recovery unit; as well as intensive care beds and other surgical equipment. In addition to the equipment, SAO has more than 20 physicians, nurses and technicians in Addis Ababa this month to help set up the equipment and spend several weeks there teaching in the hospital. 

“Ethiopian Airlines is one of Boeing’s most active partners in our Humanitarian Delivery Flights program,” said Liz Warman, director of Boeing Global Corporate Citizenship for the Northwest region. “Our two companies have a long history together in not only buying and selling airplanes, but also in leveraging our resources to help those in need.”

The airplane was delivered and flew away from Everett directly to Addis Ababa and landed on October 24 at 1:40 a.m. after an approximately 15-hour nonstop flight.

Boeing and Ethiopian Airlines continue to be critical partners and supporters of our organization, helping us get these needed medical supplies to Black Lion Hospital, the largest public hospital and main teaching facility in Ethiopia,” said Dr. Julian Judelman, board member of Seattle Anesthesia Outreach. “Thanks to this partnership, we have been able to ship 40 tons of medical equipment over the last two years at little to no cost, which is important for a small non-profit organization like ours.”

The Boeing Humanitarian Delivery Flights (HDF) program is a collaborative effort among Boeing, airline customers and non-profit organizations to deliver humanitarian aid throughout the world to communities in need or crisis. The humanitarian items are loaded into the empty cargo space of new airplanes being delivered and transported to the customer’s home destination.

Ethiopian Airlines is committed to support worthy social activities which are designed to help build sustainable livelihoods for individuals, the community and the society in general. In doing so it has left its mark on major social initiatives in Africa.

The 787 Dreamliner is composed of light-weight composites and features numerous system, engine and aerodynamic advancements making it more efficient to operate compared with its competition. It is the first mid-sized airplane capable of flying long-range routes, enabling airlines to open new, non-stop routes preferred by passengers.

Ethiopian Airlines has seven more 787 Dreamliners remaining on order. Ethiopian was the first African airline to operate the 777-200LR, the first to order and operate the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, and the first to order and operate the 777 Freighter. Ethiopian Airlines currently operates an all-Boeing fleet of 737, 757, 767 and 777, and now 787 airplanes in passenger service and a 757, MD11, 777F and 747 in cargo operations.