ADDIS ABABA— Ethiopian Airlines (ET) has placed a firm order for 10 Boeing freighters as it strengthens its long-haul cargo operations and prepares for further international network growth.
The agreement includes eight Boeing 777-8 Freighters and two current-generation 777 Freighters, making Ethiopian the first African airline to order the new 777-8F.
The order will expand the cargo capabilities of the carrier’s main hub at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport (ADD), where its freight network supports markets across Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East and North America.
Ethiopian currently operates 12 Boeing 777 Freighters, two 767 Freighters and four 737-800SF aircraft while serving more than 70 cargo markets.
Boeing New Freighter Order
The 10-aircraft agreement combines near-term fleet growth with a longer-term transition toward Boeing’s 777X-based freighter.
The two additional 777 Freighters are scheduled for delivery in 2027 and 2028, while the eight 777-8 Freighters are planned for delivery between 2033 and 2035.
Ethiopian has also secured purchase rights for eight additional 777-8 Freighters, potentially increasing its future commitment to the next-generation aircraft.
The latest order follows the airline’s earlier purchase of eight 777-9 passenger aircraft, which made it Africa’s first 777X customer.
The 777-8 Freighter will introduce newer 777X technology while retaining several operational features of the existing 777 Freighter.
Boeing says the aircraft will provide a maximum structural payload of 118 tonnes, allowing Ethiopian to carry heavy and oversized cargo while supporting long-range operations.
Cargo Fleet Expansion Plans
The new freighters will give Ethiopian additional capacity as demand for international air cargo continues to grow.
The airline said the aircraft will provide greater payload capability, operational flexibility and efficiency while helping strengthen connections between African markets and global freight destinations.
Ethiopian’s existing 777 Freighter fleet already forms the core of its long-haul cargo operation. The carrier also plans to add four Boeing 777 passenger aircraft converted into freighters, providing another source of cargo capacity alongside the newly ordered aircraft.
The airline’s cargo business has become an important part of its wider growth strategy.
Ethiopian Group CEO Mesfin Tasew said cargo operations account for about 23% of the airline’s total revenue, while the carrier’s long-term Vision 2040 strategy calls for continued fleet and cargo expansion.
777-8F Capabilities and Performance
The 777-8F is designed to combine the capacity of a large widebody freighter with the operating advantages of a twin-engine aircraft.
Its 118-tonne maximum structural payload and long-range capability are intended to help Ethiopian open additional cargo markets while improving efficiency per tonne.
The aircraft will also share common features with the 777 Freighter, including similar cross-sections and cargo-handling arrangements. This commonality can support fleet integration as Ethiopian adds the 777-8F to an established Boeing cargo operation.
With the latest agreement, Ethiopian is expanding both its immediate and future freighter capacity while deepening its long-standing relationship with Boeing.
The 10 firm aircraft will strengthen the carrier’s cargo fleet, while the additional purchase rights provide room for further expansion as its international freight network develops.
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