► CANADA: Ethiopian announces 787 ops to Toronto & Frankfurt for Winter 2012.

Ethiopian Airlines (ET) has announced further adjustments to its planned Boeing 787 operations. Frankfurt, Germany will receive the 787 on a daily basis from 27 October 2012 replacing its current 767, whilst Toronto, Canada's current 777-200LR service will be replaced with a 787 effective 9 November.

► RWANDA: See Pics of RwandAir's first CRJ-900NG arriving in Kigali!

Rwandan national carrier Rwandair (WB) has officially received its first of two Bombardier Canadair Regional Jet (CRJ) 900NGs (MSN# 15286 | 9XR-WH) following a hand-over ceremony in Montreal, Canada and a delivery flight routed Montréal - Goose Bay - Reykjavík - Ancona - Aswan - Kigali.

► CANADA: See Pics of RwandAir's first Bombardier CRJ-900NG Jet just out of the paint shop!

The first pictures out of Montreal's Mirabel Airport, Canada have emerged of Rwandan flag carrier RwandAir's (WB) first of two Bombardier Canadair Regional Jet (CRJ) 900NGs (MSN# 15286| 9XR-WH), due for delivery in October of this year. The value of the two CRJ 900s together is USD$185million.

Said RwandAir CEO John Mirenge on signing the contract in March:

"Based on our experience with the CRJ200 aircraft, the dual-class 75-seat CRJ900 NextGen aircraft was the logical upgrade. CRJ900 NextGen aircraft also provide exceptional reliability and have much in common with other CRJ aircraft. These aircraft will be configured with seven business class seats and 68 economy class seats."

Source [Bombardier]

RwandAir CRJ900 '9XR-WH' in the paintshop.

All done. (RwandAir)

The jets will play a pivotal role in freeing up Rwandair's larger Boeing 737-800s as the carrier seeks to increase its regional footprint in coming months, with much speculation surrounding possible new routes to Lusaka (Zambia), Cape Town (South Africa), and Juba (South Sudan).

► ETHIOPIA: Ethiopian starts Toronto from July 2012.

Ethiopian Airlines (ET) has announced a twice weekly service from Addis Ababa to Toronto, Canada starting 16 July 2012 using its Boeing 777-200LR. the westerly leg will have a fuel stop at Rome, Italy.

Ethiopian Airlines 777 at Washington DC

Ethiopian Airlines: Addis Ababa - Toronto

• ET502 ADD2230 – 0340+1FCO0440+1 – 0740+1YYZ 77L 15
• ET503 YYZ1015 – 0715+1ADD 77L 26

Read More Here [AirlineRoute]

► NAMIBIA: 3 arrested for fraud at Air Namibia.

Reports from the Namibian press state that 3 people have been arrested for fraudulently obtaining airline tickets from a staff member at the national carrier Air Namibia (SW), who has since been suspended whilst investigations are carried out into the matter.