Demonstrated in Europe in 1934-1935, this Staggerwing was sold to Abyssinia (Ethiopia). A French pilot delivered it to Akaki airfield on 20 October 1935. Emperor Haile Selassie came to inspect it two days later. It was painted creamy white and blue and named Nisiri (eagle) in Amharic script. The Red Cross objected to the red Coptic cross marking seen on the wing and it was removed. Meanwhile Italy was invading the country and the subsequent use and fate of the Beech are uncertain. Thanks to Zelealem Andarge for pointing out that Akaki was the same airfield as Lideta. Photo from: Nationaal Archief (Netherlands)

Derilect at Addis Ababa by 2014

Being used by Ethiopian Airlines as a ground training airframe.

One of a small number built under license from Schweizer by Ethiopian Airlines

Previous operators include RAF, Indian Airlines and the King of Nepal. Acquired by Ethiopian Airlines in May 1979 and withdrawn by 1992.

1970 vintage. Operated by AirServ. To Mission Aviation Fellowship in Papua New Guinea in 1995

Ex Portugese AF 6171, later N9983Q and SE-GUL. Wfu in the mid 1980s and derelict at Addis Ababa for many years, until finally broken up in 2019.

Operated by Rampart Aviation for ARKeX Ltd. In late 2013, this aircarft flew seismic surveys in southern Ethiopia for a few weeks, hence the long sensor. On September 6, 2015, this very aircraft suffered an accident at Louisburg-North Raleigh Airport, North Carolina, USA.

Another unknown resident at Dire Dawa. One of four Antonov aircraft parked at a remote platform near the runway. There had been earlier reports of an An-26 with 3X-GFC, but the historians at the Soviet Transports database believe this is another airframe. This was based on pictures made during this visit to Dire Dawa. This picture was made from a distance, during boarding of a scheduled flight to Addis Ababa.

Parked along the runway at the international airport in Addis Ababa. Behind this DC-3 is also ET-AHS.

Aircraft presumably involved in the local Khat trade. The biggest market for Khat trading is in Awodar, near Harar and Dire Dawa. Close to the Somali border.

Parked near the runway at Dire Dawa, Ethiopia. Reportedly operated by Air Navette.

This F27 was the Dutch government and royal aircraft between 1960 and 1972. It has the Netherlands royal standard on the nose. Prince Bernhard often piloted it and had his four general's stars painted on the tailfin. Photo taken during a Dutch royal visit to Ethiopia. Photo by: Eric Koch / Nationaal Archief (Netherlands)

Parked on a remote platform at the end of runway 33, seen from a Ethiopian DHC-8-400. Had to quickly change my seat when I saw this line up parked along the route to the runway. Suhura Airways was formed in 2009 by Suhura Ismail Khan, Ethiopia's richest woman entrepeneur. The airline was part of her triving khat trading business, which was registered at the Ethiopian Chamber of Commerce under the number 571 (seen on the fin of this aircraft).

A crowd gathers at Addis Ababa airport to see the arrival of EAL's first pressurised aircraft - a Convair 240. Re-registered ET-AAV in June 1964 and sold to Central Airlines (USA) in December 1964. From Convair 60 years ago.

Rare shot of this machine, one of two delivered to Ethiopia in 1981. Unfortunately my only opportunity for photos was around midday with the sun directly overhead, but some great subjects to be seen nonetheless. Sister-ship ET-AHI crashed at Gondar in 1988

Damaged beyond repair at Axum Airport. Scanned from K64 slide.

Ex RAF FZ647 and TC-EKE. Served Ethipian Airlines from August 1966 until retired in 1991. It is being towed to the apron for its first service of the day.