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Ethiopian Airlines is famous for its massive fleet of long-haul Boeing and Airbus jets, but its latest acquisition is surprisingly small. The carrier has officially taken delivery of its first Twin Otter Classic 300-G from Canadian manufacturer De Havilland Canada.
While a small turboprop might seem like a step backward for a global giant that serves over 145 international destinations, it is actually the secret weapon in a major domestic expansion strategy.
The Big Picture: Ethiopia is rapidly expanding its domestic footprint, constructing four brand-new airports in Negele Borena, Gore Mettu, Mizan Aman, and Debre Markos. The incoming Twin Otters are specifically designed to bridge the gap between major hubs and these isolated, underserved regions.
Why the Twin Otter?
The Twin Otter Classic 300-G is legendary for its Short Takeoff and Landing (STOL) capabilities. It doesn’t need a massive, pristine concrete runway; it can land on rugged, unpaved airstrips and lakeside environments that would be impossible for larger regional jets to access.
Despite its rugged exterior, the new 300-G model comes equipped with major modern upgrades:
- Garmin G1000 NXi integrated flight deck for advanced navigation.
- Lightweight cabin seats and improved cockpit ergonomics.
- Increased payload capacity to handle cargo, medical evacuations, and passenger transport seamlessly.
Bypassing Roadblocks Below
The shift toward increased regional air travel comes at a critical time. Over the last year, road transport in areas like the Oromia and Amhara regions has faced severe challenges due to local insecurity, rising checkpoints, and transit disruptions. By launching an upgraded inter-regional air service, Ethiopian Airlines is providing a faster, significantly safer lifeline for trade, tourism, and government services.
Group CEO Mesfin Tasew called the delivery “an important milestone,” noting that a second Twin Otter is already scheduled to arrive later this year. The airline is also currently weighing a massive follow-up order for 25 additional small commercial aircraft, keeping the Airbus A220, Embraer E2, and Boeing 737 MAX 7 on its immediate radar.
