Ethiopian Airlines is set to sign an agreement with Boeing for 10 freighter aircraft, strengthening the carrier’s position as Africa’s leading air cargo operator and supporting its wider expansion strategy, CNBC Africa reports. A banner at the venue of Wednesday’s signing ceremony confirmed the deal, following reports earlier this month that Ethiopia’s state owned airline was nearing an agreement for up to 10 long haul Boeing freighters. Industry sources told Reuters that the order is expected to include two current generation Boeing 777F aircraft, with the remainder potentially comprising the new 777 8F freighter, whose development has faced delays.
The expansion comes as Ethiopian Airlines continues to build its cargo and logistics network alongside its broader fleet growth. The airline currently operates 12 Boeing 777F freighters, three Boeing 767 freighters and four converted 737 cargo aircraft, giving it one of the largest dedicated air cargo fleets on the continent. In March, Ethiopian Airlines also signed lease agreements with AerCap for two Boeing 777 300ERSF converted freighters. The carrier has increasingly positioned Addis Ababa as a major global cargo gateway connecting African markets with Asia, Europe, the Middle East and the Americas.
The Boeing order is also closely linked to Ethiopian Airlines’ plans for a new aviation hub. The carrier is helping to fund a $12.5 billion airport project that Ethiopian officials describe as potentially Africa’s largest airport, with the first phase expected to open in 2030. Expanding its freighter fleet ahead of the new hub would give Ethiopian Airlines additional capacity to capture rising demand for cross border trade, e commerce, pharmaceuticals, perishables and other time sensitive cargo. The agreement also comes at an important point for Boeing, as delays to the 777X programme have pushed back the arrival of the 777 8F, while demand for large freighters remains strong.
