Ethiopian Airlines has marked a major milestone in Cape Town with the arrival of its own Airbus A350-1000. This is the airline’s newest and most advanced aircraft. It made its first-ever flight to the Mother City this week. It’s the first time that an African business (company, entity) owns this particular aircraft, which can seat up to 440 passengers.

Ethiopian Airlines has marked a major milestone in Cape Town

Speaking at the welcoming ceremony, Ethiopian Airlines’ Traffic and Sales Manager for Cape Town, Hannah Atnafu Makonnen, described the moment as a celebration of innovation, sustainability and confidence in the Cape Town market. The aircraft, delivered to Ethiopian Airlines in early 2025, represents the largest and most technologically advanced aircraft in the airline’s fleet to operate on the Cape Town route.

Ethiopian Airlines, founded in 1946, has grown into Africa’s largest and leading carrier, transporting around 19 million passengers annually and moving more than 785 000 tonnes of cargo. Today, the airline operates a fleet of over 116 aircraft, with more than 100 additional aircraft on order, serving 145 international destinations and 23 domestic routes within Ethiopia.

Ethiopian Airlines celebrates historic Airbus A350-1000 arrival and expansion in Cape Town

The airline is a key member of Star Alliance and employs more than 20 000 people directly, with thousands more working through partner operations. Its long-term vision is ambitious: by 2035, Ethiopian Airlines aims to operate 271 aircraft, serve over 200 international destinations and carry more than 60 million passengers annually.

Cape Town has played an important role in that journey. Ethiopian Airlines began operating to the city in 2015 with three weekly Boeing 737 flights. Today, it operates 11 wide-body flights per week between Addis Ababa and Cape Town, with plans to increase frequencies to double-daily services from the end of March, subject to final operational readiness.

Cape Town has played an important role in that journey

According to Makonnen, the expansion will significantly boost tourism, trade and business travel between Cape Town and the rest of the world. Ethiopian Airlines currently connects Cape Town to more than 66 destinations across Africa, as well as major cities in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and the Americas. It uses Addis Ababa as a highly efficient hub with some of the shortest connection times globally.

Cargo growth is also firmly on the agenda. While current operations rely mainly on belly cargo capacity, Ethiopian Airlines has expressed a strong interest in introducing dedicated cargo freighters to Cape Town as trade volumes continue to grow.

A standout addition – the Airbus A350-1000

The Airbus A350-1000 itself is a standout addition. The aircraft can carry up to 440 passengers, featuring 46 business class seats and 395 economy class seats, alongside state-of-the-art in-flight entertainment, modern lighting systems and enhanced fuel efficiency. Designed for long-haul comfort, it is typically deployed on premium global routes.

Makonnen also highlighted Ethiopian Airlines’ resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic, when the airline converted passenger aircraft into cargo carriers to transport essential medical supplies across continents, while retaining all staff and maintaining profitability.

Ethiopian Airlines is investing heavily in infrastructure

Looking ahead, Ethiopian Airlines is investing heavily in infrastructure, including the construction of a new mega international airport in Ethiopia, capable of handling up to 110 million passengers annually once fully completed — one of the largest aviation projects globally.

“The arrival of this aircraft in Cape Town symbolises more than just growth,” Makonnen said. “It reflects our long-term commitment to the city, to the Western Cape, and to connecting Africa with the world.”

The celebration included a ceremonial water salute for the aircraft, a cake-cutting ceremony, and an opportunity for guests to view the aircraft up close, marking the start of a new chapter in Ethiopian Airlines’ expanding presence in Cape Town.

A tense and violent shootout erupted in Seawinds, Muizenberg, this morning after the City of Cape Town’s Law Enforcement Advancement Plan (LEAP) officers intercepted a hijacked vehicle following a tip-off from the South African Police Service (SAPS).

Spokesperson Wayne Dyason says two suspects were shot and injured after a high-speed pursuit took a turn when the suspects opened fire on officers.

“The officers returned fire, resulting in two suspects being shot in St Lukes Close Seawinds. The injured suspects were transported to Groote Schuur Hospital. No Law Enforcement officers were injured.”

Dyason says a total of five suspects were arrested and found in possession of several firearms, ammunition, and drugs

“Officers recovered four firearms loaded with 50 rounds of ammunition, along with 13 Mandrax tablets, 41 sachets of tik, and four suspected stolen cellphones.”

One suspect remains at large, after fleeing the scene.

“The arrested suspects face charges including possession of suspected stolen property, illegal drugs, two unlicensed firearms, and two prohibited firearms.”

Police have confirmed the tragic incident that took place in Mitchells Plain towards the end of January, which left the woman dead.

Officers say they responded to a complaint of a dog attack at a house in Maralize Street, Morgenster, on Wednesday, 28 January, just before 2 pm.

On their arrival, the 44-year-old victim was already taken to the hospital by private vehicle.

Bystanders informed officers that the victim was attacked by her own two dogs inside her backyard.

The neighbours said they tried to get the dogs away from the victim without success.

Sadly, she died in hospital on Tuesday, 3 February, due to the injuries she sustained.

An Enquiry Docket was opened surrounding the circumstances of her death, while Law Enforcement Officers removed the animals.

Law Enforcement Spokesperson Wayne Dyason confirmed that one of the dogs was a pitbull, and the animals were euthanised on the same day of the attack.

Dyason also clarified that the woman’s son was the rightful owner of the dogs, and he surrendered the dogs to the authorities.

Video of the disturbing incident has been shared online, prompting the ward Councillor for Bonteheuwel, Angus McKenzie, to issue an appeal to the public not to post or share it.

“The footage is highly graphic and deeply heartbreaking. I respectfully ask those who are sharing this video to please refrain from doing so. It only adds to the trauma and pain being experienced by the victim’s loved ones and the broader community.”

McKenzie has extended his condolences to the woman’s family and friends.

*This article was updated to reflect that there were two dogs involved, not one.