Ethiopian Airlines partners with Aero HygenX

The MoU outlines a plan for fleetwide deployment and regional marketing of Aero HygenX’s autonomous UV-C light disinfecting robot.

The signing of this MoU marks a first foray into the African market for Aero HygenX, a Canadian technology company taking aviation by storm with its safe, efficient, and chemical free solution designed for aircraft cabins and rail cars. Ethiopian Airlines has become the first African carrier to roll out the new technology that takes aviation safety to the next level.

It is the intent of the two parties to establish local final assembly capabilities for Aero HygenX’s autonomous UV-C disinfecting robot “RAY”, thus creating local employment opportunities and expediting rollout of the chemical -free, pathogen-killing solution for Ethiopian Airlines. The MoU further sets out to foster exchange of expertise and ideas between Aero HygenX and the Ethiopian Airlines Innovation Hub, which leads all innovation activities across Ethiopian Airlines. The purpose of the Innovation Hub collaboration is to further optimise the product and determine where else in the retravel chain, and indeed the wider region, Aero HygenX’s leading disinfection technology can be useful.

Tewolde GebreMariam, Group CEO of Ethiopian Airlines, said: “As we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, aircraft disinfection and safety are top priorities for Ethiopian Airlines. As the fastest-growing African carrier, we feel a deep responsibility to reassure travellers and set an example by investing in sustainable hygiene solutions that will benefit not only our staff and passengers but also the entire region.

“Aero HygenX has demonstrated competence and ingenuity with the RAY autonomous disinfecting robot, and we look forward to implementing the solution as soon as possible.”