Gregory Polek has spent his entire career in aviation journalism with AIN, starting as a proofreader and assistant to then-managing editor Mary Mahoney in 1995 after serving an internship with&nbsp;New Jersey Monthly&nbsp;magazine and completing his B.A. degree in English/Writing at New Jersey’s William Paterson College. By 1997 Polek accepted a position as an associate editor, covering the regional airline beat for&nbsp;Aviation International News&nbsp;in place of retiring industry veteran Don Anderson. The assignment took Polek across North America and Europe to profile regional airlines varying in size and mission from the likes of floatplane operators Kenmore Air and Chalk’s Ocean Airways to regional jet operators such as SkyWest and American Eagle. Today, in his dual role as Air Transport Editor and International Airshow Editor, Polek writes, edits, and manages AIN’s commercial aviation content while overseeing each of the company’s daily international air show publications in Paris, Farnborough, Singapore, and Dubai. Most recently Polek has assumed oversight of daily coverage of the Helicopter Association International’s annual Heli-Expo convention.

Senior Editor

Gregory Polek

Ethiopian Airlines placed a firm order for four Boeing 777 Freighters at the Dubai Airshow Tuesday. The $1.3 billion deal involves a new order for two of the big cargo jets and a conversion of a commitment for another two announced in June. Schedules call for delivery in 2018 and 2019.

 


Appearing at the show with Boeing Commercial Airplanes CEO Kevin McAllister, Ethiopian Airlines group CEO Tewolde GebreMariam told reporters that he expected growth “tailwinds” will continue for his airline.

 


“This airplane order will provide Ethiopian’s cargo and logistics business with enhanced cargo capacity and better operating economics as we continue to build one of the largest cargo terminals in the world,” he said. “Operating high-performance airplanes such as the 777 Freighter is a reflection of our commitment to expand and support the growing imports and exports of our country and the African continent.”

 


Ethiopian now operates one of the largest and youngest fleets in Africa, including Boeing 737s, 757s, 767s, 777s, and 787s. Also operating six Airbus A350-900s, it took delivery of its first of nineteen 787-8s in 2010 and its first of four 787-9s last month. It also awaits delivery of the first of thirty 737 Max 8s on order.

 


Ethiopian Cargo ranks as the largest network cargo operator in Africa, flying six 777 and two 757 Freighters to 39 destinations in Africa, the Middle East, Asia and Europe. Ethiopian Cargo opened a new cargo terminal in June that gives the carrier an annual capacity of one million tons.

 


For Boeing, the order pushes 777 net orders this year to 57, including 37 current-generation 777s. The company has sold out all its delivery positions for the model in 2018 and, according to McAllister, feels “in good shape” for 2019. It plans to deliver the first 777X in early 2020.

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

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News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

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News and developments about aircraft engines, including turbofan, turboprop, turboshaft and piston.

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

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News about commercial airlines, including regulations, aircraft orders, safety, acquisitions, and mergers.

News about environmental issues relating to aircraft operations, including noise issues, emissisions, and regulations. See Fuel for biofuel.

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