The world's most modern aircraft, the Airbus 350-900 XWB flew into Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport for the first time by Africa's leading carrier, Ethiopian Airlines. Ethiopian Airlines became the first African airline to bring its new generation Airbus 350-900 to the Mumbai metropolis.
Starting this month, the aircraft will fly daily and serve passengers on the direct Mumbai – Addis Abba route, which hosts onward connections to more than 50 destinations on a vast intra-African network, said a statement.
Offering business, premium and economy classes, the aircraft promises to enhance flyer experience by providing superlative features and cabin interiors that include latest high-definition touch screen, personal monitors with a wide selection of movies, wider seats and windows, advanced air conditioning technology and full LED mood lighting.
With the fuselage and wing strictures made of carbon-fibre-reinforced polymer, the jetliner reportedly has the lowest twin engine noise level with 25 % lower emission levels.
Weighing 280 tons, the long haul aircraft boasts of seating 325 passengers over a 15,000 km range. This move will further strengthen the growing trade and commercial ties between the economies of India and Africa.
In 2012, Ethiopian Airlines was also the first airline to bring the Boeing 787 dream liner to CSIA.
With over 44 international airlines operating through Mumbai, handling more than 11 million international passengers in a year, the airport has become a key gateway to India. Mumbai is also Africa's major gateway comprising 70 per cent of capacity deployed between India and Africa. In 2016, 0.8 million passengers travelled between Mumbai and Africa, growing at a rate of 8 percent annually. “Mumbai's strategic geographical positioning allows it to act as a major transfer hub for passengers between South East Asia and Africa, said GVK Mumbai International Airport.
