Ethiopian Airlines has reached a historic milestone in African aviation by becoming the first airline on the continent to successfully execute a full strip-and-paint programme for Airbus A350-900 aircraft. This bold advancement marks a pivotal expansion of the airline’s Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) capabilities, positioning Ethiopian Airlines not only as a leader in operational excellence but also as a critical enabler for aviation sustainability and technical innovation in Africa.
A New Benchmark in African Aviation MRO
On December 26, 2025, the airline proudly announced the successful in-house strip and repainting of two Airbus A350-900 aircraft — a feat never before accomplished on the continent. This initiative strengthens Ethiopian Airlines’ long-standing commitment to technical independence and signals a profound leap forward in MRO self-sufficiency for Africa.
Previously, such extensive aircraft repainting operations were outsourced to facilities outside Africa, incurring high costs and logistical delays. With the introduction of this capability, Ethiopian Airlines has firmly positioned itself as an MRO powerhouse, offering services both for its fleet and third-party clients — a strategic move with implications that go far beyond its home base at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport (ADD).
Driving Operational Efficiency and Economic Resilience
The benefits of this development are not limited to technical prestige. According to Mr. Mesfin Tasew, Group CEO of Ethiopian Airlines, this project reflects the airline’s strategic vision:
“This project is yet another milestone which reflects Ethiopian’s ongoing commitment to investing in world-class MRO capabilities, strengthening our operational resilience, enhancing our self-reliance, and elevating our global standing. Beyond saving costs, this achievement enables us to generate additional revenue and reinforce our position as a leading MRO service provider in the continent and the region.”
By internalizing such high-level maintenance services, Ethiopian Airlines is reducing dependency on foreign facilities, cutting repainting turnaround times, and lowering operational expenses — all while creating new revenue streams by servicing other carriers.
Decades of Experience, Now Elevated with New Capability
Ethiopian Airlines’ ability to perform such complex operations stems from its legacy of technical expertise. With nearly 60 years of experience operating a state-of-the-art paint hangar, the airline has cultivated a robust foundation of MRO competence. However, until recently, its capabilities were more focused on routine paint jobs and touch-ups.
The latest strip-and-paint programme pushes this boundary significantly, incorporating tip-to-tail stripping and repainting of wide-body, long-range aircraft like the A350-900. This requires high-level precision and expertise, as the process involves removing multiple layers of old paint, preparing composite and aluminum surfaces, and applying multi-layer protective coatings that ensure both durability and aerodynamic efficiency.
Central to this capability is the use of HVLP (High Volume Low Pressure) spray systems, which offer greater paint efficiency, reduced waste, and improved environmental compliance. The result is a process that is not only technically superior but also aligned with sustainable aviation practices.
The Dual Milestone: A350 and Boeing 787 Paint Projects Completed
While the spotlight remains on the A350 project, Ethiopian Airlines simultaneously achieved another significant feat — the completion of a comprehensive painting job on a Boeing 787 aircraft. Successfully executing paint jobs on both composite-heavy aircraft types within the same timeframe is a testament to the airline’s advanced MRO readiness across multiple platforms.
This dual success not only diversifies the types of aircraft the airline can service but also enhances its appeal to international carriers operating mixed fleets. In an industry where downtime translates to financial loss, Ethiopian Airlines is now equipped to offer quick, efficient, and competitively priced paint solutions across two of the most widely used widebody aircraft types in commercial aviation.
Aviation Hub With Global Reach
Ethiopian Airlines’ growing MRO capabilities feed into its larger strategic blueprint — establishing Addis Ababa as a Pan-African aviation hub. The airline already offers connections to over 160 destinations, including domestic and international routes, from its high-altitude base at ADD. With two expansive runways, a high-capacity terminal, and a location serving as a nexus between Africa, the Middle East, and Asia, the infrastructure was ripe for such a capability expansion.
Moreover, the in-house MRO services now bolster the airline’s reliability, allowing it to maintain a more consistent flight schedule, reduce AOG (Aircraft on Ground) instances, and increase overall fleet availability.
Ethiopian’s MRO Ambitions Go Beyond Its Own Fleet
While self-reliance remains a central theme, Ethiopian Airlines is also keen on monetizing its technical prowess. The new Airbus A350 strip-and-paint service opens doors to third-party maintenance agreements, allowing the airline to provide services to other African carriers and even global airlines operating in the region.
Given the limited MRO infrastructure across Africa, this move is not only commercially wise but also regionally transformative. Airlines previously forced to fly their aircraft to Europe, the Middle East, or Asia for paint and heavy maintenance work can now turn to Addis Ababa for quality service, faster turnaround, and reduced ferry costs.
A Legacy of Innovation and Continental Collaboration
This technical leap is just one part of Ethiopian Airlines’ broader ambition to strengthen aviation infrastructure across Africa. The airline has actively pursued a Pan-African strategy, assisting in the formation and operation of regional carriers such as ASKY Airlines (Togo), Malawi Airlines, Zambia Airways, and the recently launched Air Congo.
Each of these joint ventures not only enhances connectivity across the continent but also feeds into Ethiopian’s MRO network, further justifying the expansion of capabilities like aircraft painting and structural maintenance.
With multi-hub strategies already in place, Ethiopian is gradually creating an ecosystem where African airlines can thrive without relying on external technical services, preserving capital within the continent while elevating service quality.
Fleet Diversity and Technical Mastery
Ethiopian Airlines operates one of the most diverse and modern fleets in Africa, consisting of:
- Airbus A350-900 and A350-1000
- Boeing 737, 777, and 787 Dreamliner
- De Havilland Q400 for regional routes
Maintaining such a fleet demands high levels of technical expertise, particularly as these aircraft feature composite materials, advanced avionics, and unique maintenance needs. The ability to perform tip-to-tail paint and coating projects in-house is not merely a cost-saving tool — it’s a strategic necessity for fleet longevity, brand uniformity, and service excellence.
Conclusion: A New Era for African Aviation Services
Ethiopian Airlines has once again raised the bar for African aviation. The successful rollout of the Airbus A350 strip-and-paint programme signals a new era of technical independence, economic opportunity, and regional leadership in aircraft maintenance.
By building this capability within its own ecosystem, Ethiopian Airlines has not only cut operational costs and improved efficiency but also paved the way for other African airlines to access world-class MRO services on the continent. As global aviation increasingly turns its gaze toward Africa, this landmark achievement underscores why Ethiopian Airlines remains Africa’s aviation crown jewel.
In a region often dependent on external support for technical operations, Ethiopian Airlines stands as a symbol of self-sufficiency, innovation, and progress. The paint may dry quickly — but the legacy this achievement leaves behind will endure for decades.
