Ethiopian Airlines Expands In-House Aircraft Maintenance Capabilities

Published on December 28, 2025

Ethiopian Airlines has completed a significant aircraft maintenance milestone after successfully carrying out a full tip-to-tail strip-and-paint programme on two of its own widebody aircraft. The work involved two Airbus A350-900 aircraft and marked the first time such a comprehensive process has been completed in Africa by an airline for this aircraft type. The development reflects an operational advancement that supports the airline’s internal fleet readiness while also reinforcing its broader role in aviation services linked to travel and mobility across the continent.

The programme was announced on December 26 and was completed using Ethiopian Airlines’ own maintenance infrastructure. The activity was conducted through the airline’s maintenance, repair, and overhaul facilities, which include a dedicated aircraft paint hangar. These facilities are primarily used to support Ethiopian’s fleet, while also remaining available for external airline customers.

Airline Infrastructure Developments And Their Broader Travel Relevance

Large-scale maintenance capabilities are increasingly viewed as strategic assets within airline operations. When airlines expand internal technical services, this can strengthen long-term operational stability. For travelers, such developments often remain unnoticed, yet they support the systems that allow airlines to maintain regular service patterns and fleet rotation.

As air travel demand continues to rely on dependable aircraft availability, internal MRO capacity becomes part of the wider travel ecosystem. Airlines that can manage key maintenance processes internally may be better positioned to respond to operational needs without extended external dependencies. This contributes to overall travel system resilience without altering the visible aspects of the journey.

Within this framework, Ethiopian Airlines’ completion of the A350 strip-and-paint programme reflects an internal operational enhancement aligned with ongoing travel demand and fleet utilization.

Airbus A350-900 Paint Programme Conducted Using Internal MRO Facilities

The two aircraft involved in the programme were Airbus A350-900 widebody jets, which form part of Ethiopian Airlines’ long-haul fleet. The strip-and-paint process was carried out entirely in-house, eliminating the need for outsourcing this activity to external providers. This approach supports cost control while allowing greater scheduling flexibility for aircraft availability.

Airbus A350-900 aircraft require specialized technical capability during repainting due to their composite structure and size. The completion of the programme demonstrated that Ethiopian Airlines’ MRO division has developed the required technical depth to manage the process independently. The airline has indicated that this capability builds on earlier work related to paint operations completed on another widebody aircraft type within its fleet.

In addition to serving internal needs, the same infrastructure is positioned to support third-party airline customers seeking similar services. This dual-use model allows the airline to align operational efficiency with commercial activity connected to aviation services.

How Operational Readiness Supports Travel Continuity

Aircraft maintenance activities such as repainting play a behind-the-scenes role in sustaining consistent travel experiences. When major maintenance work is completed internally, airlines are able to better manage aircraft downtime and maintain service continuity across their networks. For travelers, this often translates into greater schedule reliability and fewer operational disruptions linked to extended maintenance cycles.

In the context of long-haul operations, widebody aircraft availability remains central to international travel flows. The ability to manage paint programmes internally supports fleet readiness, which is an essential component of sustaining travel connectivity. While repainting does not directly alter passenger experience onboard, it remains part of the broader system that ensures aircraft remain compliant, serviceable, and operational.

From a travel perspective, the development reflects how airline infrastructure investments indirectly contribute to smoother journey planning and fleet consistency, especially for carriers operating diverse long-haul routes.

Expanded MRO Capability Also Creates External Service Opportunities

Beyond internal fleet support, Ethiopian Airlines has indicated that the same strip-and-paint capability can be offered to other airlines. This allows the airline’s MRO division to generate additional revenue while maximizing utilization of its facilities. Third-party aircraft maintenance services are conducted alongside Ethiopian’s own fleet work, enabling a balanced operational approach.

The airline’s maintenance facilities have previously completed paint capability work on another widebody aircraft type, reinforcing the progression of technical scope within the MRO division. The completion of the A350 programme further extends this capability portfolio.

Mesfin Tasew has indicated that the project contributes to the continued development of technical expertise within the organization and aligns with ongoing improvement initiatives. These efforts remain focused on strengthening operational capacity across aircraft types supported by the airline.

Strengthening Maintenance Capacity Within The African Aviation Landscape

The completion of the strip-and-paint programme positions Ethiopian Airlines among a limited group of operators capable of performing such work on the Airbus A350-900 within Africa. The development highlights the expansion of maintenance capability available within the region, supporting both internal airline needs and external customers.

By conducting the work internally, Ethiopian Airlines reinforces its operational independence while enhancing its appeal to other carriers seeking MRO services. The airline’s facilities now support a broader range of widebody maintenance tasks, contributing to the overall availability of aviation services linked to travel operations.

The milestone reflects continued investment in infrastructure that underpins aircraft operations, fleet sustainability, and long-term travel connectivity supported by Ethiopian Airlines’ network.

Image Source: AI