Ethiopian Airlines has taken delivery of its third Boeing 737 MAX 8, which was originally allocated to Russian carrier Ural Airlines under the registration VP-BHT but was not accepted, due sanctions from Russia invasion of Ukraine.
The aircraft built in 2019, registered as ET-BBC (msn 66152), using callsign ETH9201, routed Boeing Field to Dublin and then to Addis Ababa between March 21-23, 2025. The aircraft arrived in an all-white livery, with the rudder and sharklets bearing Ural Airlines’ colors, pending a full repaint by Ethiopian Airlines.
The aircraft, arrived in Dublin at 10:36 local time on 21 March 2025, departing the next day at 04:22 local, and arriving in Addis Ababa at 15:15 local time. The aircraft began its first commercial service on 29 March, operating as ETH173/2 on a domestic route to and from Jimma (JIM).
According to Planespotters.net, Ethiopian Airlines is also set to receive another aircraft, registered ET-BBD (msn 66147), which was originally intended for Ural Airlines under the registration VP-BHR.
Image Credit: Creative Commons -LLBG Spotter
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