Ethiopian Airlines Sets New Industry Standard with First-Ever Full Strip-and-Paint Process for Airbus A350-900 Fleet, Revolutionizing Aircraft Maintenance in Africa

Published on December 27, 2025

Ethiopian Airlines has set a new industry benchmark by completing the first-ever full strip-and-paint process on its Airbus A350-900 fleet, a groundbreaking achievement that revolutionizes aircraft maintenance in Africa. This milestone not only showcases the airline’s advanced capabilities in aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) but also highlights its leadership role in improving the operational efficiency and durability of aircraft across the continent.

Ethiopian Airlines Sets New Standards in Aircraft Maintenance with Groundbreaking Full Strip-and-Paint Process for Airbus A350-900 Fleet

Ethiopian Airlines, recognized as Africa’s leading carrier and an emerging powerhouse in the global aviation sector, has successfully completed a historic achievement by carrying out the continent’s first-ever full strip-and-paint process on its Airbus A350-900 fleet. This milestone underscores the airline’s growing influence and leadership in aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) capabilities, demonstrating its technical proficiency and relentless commitment to operational excellence.

The full strip-and-paint process is a complex and highly specialized procedure that involves the meticulous removal of the aircraft’s existing paint layers followed by a complete repainting to restore its aesthetic and structural integrity. This operation is not only essential for improving the aircraft’s appearance but also plays a critical role in maintaining the aircraft’s surface, ensuring its long-term durability, and enhancing fuel efficiency by reducing drag.

For Ethiopian Airlines, this achievement signifies more than just an operational success; it represents a major leap in its MRO capabilities. By investing in the necessary technology and infrastructure, the airline has demonstrated its ability to handle high-level maintenance tasks domestically, reducing its reliance on external service providers and further strengthening its position in the highly competitive aviation industry. Ethiopian Airlines’ technical team worked tirelessly to ensure that the process met international standards, highlighting the airline’s commitment to maintaining its fleet in peak condition.

The Airbus A350-900 is one of the most advanced aircraft in Ethiopian Airlines’ growing fleet, and the completion of this first full strip-and-paint procedure positions the airline as a leader in African aviation. The A350 is known for its fuel efficiency, spacious cabins, and advanced technology, making it a popular choice for long-haul flights. By performing this maintenance procedure on such a critical aircraft, Ethiopian Airlines ensures that its A350 fleet remains in optimal condition, offering passengers a safe and comfortable flying experience.

This accomplishment follows closely behind Ethiopian Airlines’ recent achievement with its Boeing 787 fleet, on which it established full strip-and-paint capabilities as well. With these two milestones, Ethiopian Airlines has firmly entrenched itself as a pioneer in aircraft maintenance within Africa, and by extension, the global aviation industry. As one of the few carriers worldwide capable of handling such complex maintenance tasks in-house, Ethiopian Airlines is setting new benchmarks for excellence, not just in Africa but across the global aviation landscape.

The strategic decision to develop and expand its MRO capabilities is part of a broader vision to position Ethiopian Airlines as a regional hub for aircraft maintenance. The airline has long been recognized for its strong commitment to customer service and operational efficiency, and this expansion of its MRO services is a testament to its desire to enhance its competitive edge. By investing in state-of-the-art facilities and highly skilled technical personnel, Ethiopian Airlines has ensured that it is capable of providing world-class maintenance services to its own fleet as well as to other airlines in Africa and beyond.

Ethiopian Airlines’ full strip-and-paint capabilities also help to increase the airline’s operational efficiency by reducing downtime and turnaround time for its aircraft. With the ability to perform these advanced maintenance tasks in-house, the airline can minimize delays, keeping its fleet operating at peak performance levels. Additionally, the airline can reduce costs associated with outsourcing such tasks, resulting in significant savings that can be reinvested into other areas of its operations, including fleet expansion and customer service enhancements.

This achievement also underscores Ethiopian Airlines’ commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility. By maintaining its fleet in peak condition and improving fuel efficiency, the airline contributes to the reduction of its carbon footprint, aligning with global efforts to make the aviation industry more environmentally friendly. The advanced strip-and-paint process plays a crucial role in ensuring that the airline’s aircraft meet the highest environmental standards while maintaining the structural integrity necessary for long-term performance.

Looking ahead, Ethiopian Airlines is poised to continue its impressive trajectory as a leader in both African aviation and the global MRO sector. With its growing fleet of modern aircraft and enhanced maintenance capabilities, the airline is well-positioned to handle increasing demand for air travel across Africa and beyond. As Ethiopian Airlines continues to expand its reach and capabilities, it is setting a new standard for excellence in the aviation industry, ensuring that it remains a trusted carrier for passengers and a reliable partner for airlines in need of high-quality maintenance services.

In conclusion, Ethiopian Airlines’ successful completion of the full strip-and-paint process for its Airbus A350-900 fleet is a momentous achievement that solidifies its position as a leader in African aviation. This milestone, combined with the airline’s continued investments in MRO capabilities, further cements its reputation for technical excellence, operational efficiency, and sustainability. As the airline continues to grow, it will undoubtedly serve as a model for other carriers, showcasing how a commitment to quality and innovation can drive success in the highly competitive and ever-evolving aviation industry.

Appreciating the major accomplishment, Mr. Mesfin Tasew, Ethiopian Airlines Group
CEO, remarked: “The successful execution of our full strip-and-paint project on two of our A350-
900 aircraft coupled with the completion of paint capability on the B787 earlier this year, marks a
significant step forward in Ethiopian’s in-house widebody advanced composite structure paint
capabilities. 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.”

Ethiopian MRO, a leading aircraft maintenance provider in Africa and the Middle East, has been delivering exceptional maintenance services for nearly sixty years. This includes specialized aircraft painting and coating solutions through its advanced paint shop and cutting-edge dedicated paint hangar. The facility not only supports Ethiopian Airlines’ fleet but also caters to third-party clients.

Ethiopian Airlines has set a new industry standard with the completion of the first-ever full strip-and-paint process for its Airbus A350-900 fleet. This groundbreaking achievement marks a significant milestone in aircraft maintenance in Africa, showcasing the airline’s expertise in MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul) services. By enhancing the fleet’s durability and fuel efficiency, Ethiopian Airlines is solidifying its position as a leader in aviation maintenance across the continent.

Ethiopian Airlines offers comprehensive in-house painting services, including multi-layer coating for both composite and aluminum airframes across its entire fleet. Utilizing sophisticated techniques such as High-Volume Low-Pressure (HVLP) and electrostatic spraying systems, the airline efficiently manages painting and coating projects with precision and quality.