ETHIOPIAN AIRLINES has become the first African carrier to order Boeing's 777 twin-engine freighter.

     Airline CEO Tewolde Gebremariam said the US$1.1 billion order for four B777Fs "will enhance our capacity and range capabilities."

     Said Boeing: "Ethiopian Airlines was the first African airline to order the B787 Dreamliner, the first to fly the B777-200LR and is now the first to purchase the B777 freighter."

     The B777F is the world's longest-range twin-engine freighter and can fly 9,000 kilometres with a full payload of 102 tonnes, said a Boeing statement.

(source:http://www.shippingonline.cn/news/newsList.asp?classname=News)