An Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 777-300 (ER), which had been delivered to the airline just days prior, declared an emergency shortly after departing from Addis Ababa Bole International Airport (ADD) for Dubai (DXB). The aircraft, registered as ET-BBG, was on its maiden revenue flight when it encountered an unspecified issue, leading to the activation of the emergency code 7700. The flight, designated as ET612, took off around 07:21 local time but just 30 minutes into the flight, the pilots decided to turn back to Addis Ababa. The decision to return was made as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of the 300 passengers and 15 crew members on board. The flight landed safely at 08:29 local time, roughly an hour after departure.
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Ethiopian Airlines, known for its safety record and operational efficiency, did not specify the exact nature of the emergency but confirmed that it was related to a technical issue. The airline issued a statement expressing their commitment to passenger safety, emphasizing that all procedures were followed correctly during the incident. The aircraft in question had been part of Ethiopian Airlines' strategy to expand its long-haul capabilities, with the Boeing 777-300(ER) being one of the most advanced and efficient widebody jets in its fleet. This particular 777 had been delivered to Ethiopian Airlines on December 8, 2024, making this incident notably early in its service life.
Following the safe landing, the passengers were deplaned, and arrangements were made for their rerouting. Ethiopian Airlines provided accommodations for those whose travel plans were disrupted and worked on rebooking them on subsequent flights to Dubai. The airline expressed regret for the inconvenience caused to passengers, reaffirming their dedication to safety over schedule adherence. The incident led to a thorough inspection of the aircraft by Ethiopian Airlines' maintenance team in collaboration with Boeing representatives to diagnose the cause of the emergency. Such inspections are critical post-incident to ensure no underlying issues could jeopardize future flights.
This event, while rare, highlights the complexities and challenges of integrating new aircraft into service. It underscores the importance of stringent safety checks and the readiness of flight crews to respond to emergencies. Ethiopian Airlines, with its fleet of over 130 aircraft, operates one of the youngest fleets in Africa, focusing on both service expansion and maintaining high safety standards. The airline has promised a detailed investigation into the incident to prevent future occurrences, ensuring that their commitment to safety continues to be a cornerstone of their operations.