This article is based on an official press release from Ethiopian Airlines.

Ethiopian Airlines Completes Africa’s First A350-900 Full Strip and Paint

Ethiopian Airlines has announced a significant advancement in its Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) capabilities, successfully completing a full strip-and-paint program for two of its Airbus A350-900 Commercial-Aircraft. According to the airline’s official statement, this operation marks the first time such a complex maintenance procedure has been performed on the A350-900 model within Africa.

The project was executed at Ethiopian MRO’s facility in Addis Ababa, which has been expanding its capacity to handle modern, composite-heavy wide-body aircraft. By bringing this capability in-house, the Airlines aims to reduce reliance on foreign maintenance providers and assert its position as a leading aviation service provider on the continent.

A Milestone for African Aviation MRO

The completion of this program represents a technical breakthrough for the region. Historically, African carriers operating the Airbus A350, a next-generation aircraft constructed primarily of advanced materials, have had to send their fleets to Europe or the Middle East for full exterior repainting. Ethiopian Airlines stated that this achievement allows them to offer these specialized services not only for their own fleet but potentially for third-party customers as well.

Mesfin Tasew, Group CEO of Ethiopian Airlines, highlighted the strategic importance of this development in the company’s press release:

“The successful execution of our full strip-and-paint project on two of our A350-900 aircraft… 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… enhancing our self-reliance, and elevating our global standing.”

This capability builds upon the MRO division’s previous experience with the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, another aircraft that utilizes extensive composite materials, further solidifying the facility’s expertise in next-generation airframe maintenance.

Technical Complexity of Composite Painting

AirPro News Analysis

While the press release focuses on the strategic achievement, it is important to understand the technical complexity involved in stripping and painting modern aircraft like the Airbus A350. Unlike older aluminum aircraft, which can be stripped using aggressive chemical solvents or mechanical sanding, the A350’s fuselage is made largely of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic (CFRP).

Standard paint removal methods pose a high risk to composites. Aggressive chemicals can damage the resin matrix that binds the carbon fibers, while improper sanding can cut into the fibers themselves or damage the delicate copper mesh embedded in the fuselage for lightning strike protection. Consequently, this process requires:

• Specialized Solvents: The use of peroxide-based or other composite-safe strippers that lift paint without attacking the substrate.
• Precision Application: Advanced electrostatic or High-Volume Low-Pressure (HVLP) spraying systems to ensure a lightweight, even coat that maintains the aircraft’s aerodynamic efficiency.

By mastering these sensitive processes, Ethiopian MRO has demonstrated a level of technical maturity that rivals established MRO centers in Europe and Asia.

Strategic and Economic Implications

The ability to perform full strip-and-paint operations in Addis Ababa offers immediate economic benefits to the airline. In-house maintenance eliminates the costs associated with “ferry flights”, flying empty aircraft to foreign maintenance bases, and reduces the airline’s exposure to foreign currency fluctuations.

Furthermore, this capability enhances asset utilization. By integrating painting into scheduled heavy maintenance checks (such as C-checks), the airline can minimize the time an aircraft is out of service. This efficiency is critical for maintaining profitability in a competitive long-haul market.

From a regional perspective, this development places Ethiopian Airlines at a distinct advantage over competitors such as EgyptAir Maintenance & Engineering and South African Airways Technical. While other regional players possess significant MRO infrastructure, Ethiopian’s public confirmation of a completed A350-900 full strip-and-paint program signals a lead in specific next-generation composite capabilities.

Sources

• Ethiopian Airlines Press Release