A new service to Athens via Khartoum and Wadi Halfa was launched on . A third Convair CV-240 ("The Spiritual Power") was purchased from Sabena in 1955 for . These aircraft were equipped with rocket-assisted take-off devices. This was a common practice for a small number of airlines in the World that EAL had abandoned by . Also in 1955, Ethiopian inaugurated a self-owned maintenance facility. That year, Vic Harrell succeeded Swede Golien as general manager of the company. The carrier was in need of newer and larger aircraft, and three different aircraft types —two from the Lockheed Corporation, the Constellation and the Electra, and the Douglas DC-6— were considered for the fleet renewal programme. Two Douglas DC-6Bs were eventually ordered in 1956 for  million, including spares; an option for a third machine was also taken. Another loan obtained from the Ex-Im Bank, a  million one dating back to 1955, was partly used to finance the two purchased aircraft.