Aero HygenX Partners with Ethiopian Airlines for Deployment of Autonomous UV-C Disinfecting Solution

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Aero HygenX

Oct 21, 2021, 09:13 ET

  • With hygiene in sharp focus, industry support for Aero HygenX continues to grow
  • Chemical-free disinfection via UV-C light offers a safer work environment for staff and is gentler on aircraft interiors
  • A global problem requires global solutions: It is the intention of Aero HygenX to support COVID-19 recovery in regions with lower vaccination rates
  • "As we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, aircraft disinfection and safety are top priorities for Ethiopian Airlines", GCEO

OTTAWA, CANADA, Oct. 21, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - In a virtual signing ceremony which took place October 12th, executives from Ethiopian Airlines Group and Aero HygenX, signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) outlining a plan for fleetwide deployment and regional marketing of Aero HygenX's autonomous UV-C light disinfecting robot, RAY. 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.

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 optimize the product and determine where else in the retravel chain, and indeed the wider region, Aero HygenX's leading disinfection technology can be useful.

Mr. Tewolde GebreMariam, Group CEO of Ethiopian Airlines, commenting on the partnership said:

"As we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, aircraft disinfection and safety are top priorities for Ethiopian Airlines. We are one of the few global carriers that has been successful in combating the adverse effects of COVID-19 and we are proud to have been recognized international humanitarian organizations for our commitment in the global fight against the virus. With the signing of this MoU, we continue our investment in sustainable hygiene solutions that will benefit not only our staff and passengers, but the entire region.  Aero HygenX has developed a phenomenal technology that enhances biosafety onboard – in accordance with our 'Safety First' policy – and will help Ethiopian attract more customers for a speedy recovery from the pandemic."

In Ottawa, CEO Arash Mahin signed for the Aero HygenX team and was accompanied by the firm's Executive VP of Business Development Peter Bahraini, as well as Executive VP of Engineering, Kris Rupay.

"This understanding with Ethiopian Airlines is very exciting for our whole team and we are truly grateful for their trust and support," commented Arash Mahin, Aero HygenX CEO. "At Aero HygenX, we want to help aviation get back on its feet as quickly as possible, and for that to happen we must work globally. A global problem requires a global solution and we're thrilled that, together with Ethiopian Airlines, we can bring thorough, efficient, and safe pathogen-killing technology to this region."

Aero HygenX was formed in January 2020 by a group of self-proclaimed aviation "geeks" (aka enthusiasts) with strong backgrounds in technology and aviation. In March 2020 RAY, the only fully autonomous UV-C disinfecting robot, was introduced to market and the first production line units were delivered to customers in April 2021. Already, the company has customers across Canada, the USA, the Middle East, and now East Africa.

Designed for the transportation industry, RAY is a compact and light-weight autonomous robot which uses motion sensing technology to navigate cramped spaces (such as aircraft cabins) and disinfect surfaces quickly, safely and without the use of harmful chemicals, using UV-C light.

RAY has the ability to disinfect a narrow body aircraft (such as a B737 or A320) in as little as seven minutes and can also be used to treat in lavatories so airlines can fully sanitize aircraft after every flight. Unlike competing disinfection robots, the RAY unit does not require a crew member to move it through the cabin. Furthermore, RAY can be optimized for various aircraft types and comes equipped with HygenX Stream, a customizable software that records and transmits usage data wirelessly to the cloud, providing valuable system health monitoring and status updates to the operator.

UV-C light has been used to effectively disinfect food, water, and air for decades. It is proven to destroy the pathogens that cause MERS-CoV, SARS-CoV1, Ebola, and SARS-CoV2 (and other serious viruses.)

About Ethiopian Airlines
Ethiopian Airlines (Ethiopian) is the fastest growing Airline in Africa. In its seventy-five years of operation, Ethiopian has become one of the continent's leading carriers, unrivalled in efficiency and operational success. Ethiopian commands the lion's share of the Pan-African passenger and cargo network operating the youngest and most modern fleet to more than 130 international passenger and cargo destinations across five continents. Ethiopian fleet includes ultra-modern and environmentally friendly aircraft such as Airbus A350, Boeing 787-8, Boeing 787-9, Boeing 777-300ER, Boeing 777-200LR, Boeing 777-200 Freighter, Bombardier Q-400 double cabin with an average fleet age of five years. In fact, Ethiopian is the first airline in Africa to own and operate these aircraft. 

Email: CorporateCommunication@ethiopianairlines.com
Tel: (251-11)517-8913/165/529/
Web: https://www.ethiopianairlines.com/et
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/EthiopianAirlines
Twitter: https://twitter.com/flyethiopian 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fly.ethiopian/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Ethiopianairlinescom   

About Aero HygenX
Aero HygenX is setting a new precedent for air and surface disinfection in the passenger transport sector. Headquartered in Ottawa, Canada, Aero HygenX is a dynamic technology company harnessing the power of Ultra-Violet (UV-C) light to develop safe, efficient, and autonomous hygiene solutions that promote kill pathogens, protect crews, reduce the need for harsh chemical agents and restore passenger confidence in travel. The company's founders and executives combine a passion for aviation industry with 80+ years of combined experience in safety, quality management, airline operations, software, electrical engineering, and electromagnetics. Aero HygenX's revolutionary autonomous UVC robot RAY is designed for any aircraft type.

Email: info@aerohygenx.com  
Web: www.aerohygenx.com  
Tel:  1-800-260-0787
Twitter: https://twitter.com/aerohygenx/  
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/aerohygenx  
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aerohygenx/   

SOURCE Aero HygenX