Ethiopian airlines’ inaugural flight of africa’s first ‘dreamliner’ salutes tanzania’s mt. kilimanjaro

ETHIOPIAN AIRLINES’ INAUGURAL FLIGHT

OF AFRICA’S FIRST ‘DREAMLINER’

SALUTES TANZANIA’S MT. KILIMANJARO

(New York, NY – August 27, 2012) On August 18, 2012, Ethiopian Airlines saluted Tanzania’s Mt. Kilimanjaro in its inaugural flight of its Boeing 787-800 Dreamliner by circling around Tanzania’s world famous Mt. Kilimanjaro, the highest free standing mountain in the world. The Ethiopian Airlines’ inaugural Dreamliner “flyover” carried 270 VIPs including diplomats, government officials, travel industry representatives and press.

The Ethiopian Airlines Country Manager in Dar es Salaam, Ms. Milat Mekonnen, “Mt. Kilimanjaro was selected for this honor and recognition because Ethiopian Airlines has been operating in Tanzania for the past 40 years with Arusha (Kilimanjaro  International Airport) being one of the airline’s first destinations in Africa.”

Dr. Aloyce Nzuki, Managing Director, Tanzania Tourist Board (TTB), added, “We are thrilled that Ethiopian Airlines recognizes the importance and popularity of Destination Tanzania by honoring us in this way. TTB appreciates the Airlines’ continual support in providing an excellent and convenient service from all over the world, thereby being a major contributing factor to Tanzania’s booming tourism.”

The Ethiopian Airlines’ Boeing 787-800 Dreamliner dubbed “Africa First”, is the first airline in the world outside Japan and ahead of any airline in the Americas, Europe and the Middle East to operate the Dreamliner.

About Tanzania

Tanzania, the largest country in East Africa, is focused on wildlife conservation and sustainable tourism, with approximately 28% of the land protected by the Government, the largest percentage of any country in the world. It boasts 15 National Parks and 31 game reserves, 50 Game Controlled Areas, one special Conservation Area (the Ngorongoro) and three Marine Parks. It is home to the world’s highest free standing mountain, the legendary Mt. Kilimanjaro; The Serengeti, home to the “Great Animal Migration” that was named the New 7th Wonder of the World by USA Today and ABC TV’s Good Morning America; the world acclaimed Ngorongoro Crater, often referred to as the “Eden of Africa” and the “8th Wonder of the World”; Olduvai Gorge, the cradle of mankind:  the Selous, the world’s largest game reserve; Ruaha, now the second largest National Park in Africa; the spice islands of Zanzibar; and seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Most important for visitors, the Tanzanian people, with a rich history and diverse blend of cultures, are warm and friendly and the country is an oasis of peace and stability with a democratically elected government. .

For more information on Tanzania, visit http://www.tanzaniatourism.go.tz/.

Mt. Kilimanjaro, Tanzania