Ethiopian Airlines Group, the largest aviation group in Africa, and Boeing [NYSE: BA] have announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the acquisition of the latest Boeing 777-9 airplanes, signaling a significant expansion of the carrier’s widebody fleet.
The agreement encompasses the purchase of eight 777-9 passenger airplanes initially, with the potential for up to 12 additional jets by Ethiopian, Africa’s largest airline.
This strategic move positions Ethiopian Airlines as the first 777X customer in Africa and underscores its commitment to enhancing its modern fleet, following its landmark 2023 order for 11 787 Dreamliner and 20 737 MAX airplanes.
Speaking about the MOU signing, Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO, Mr. Mesfin Tasew, expressed enthusiasm, stating, “We are pleased to continue setting the trend in African aviation by adopting cutting-edge technologies to enhance our services and customer satisfaction. The 777-9 offers enhanced flexibility, reduced fuel consumption, and lower carbon emissions, aligning with our operational performance and environmental sustainability goals.”
Derived from the 777 and incorporating advanced technologies from the 787 Dreamliner family, the 777-9 boasts new carbon-fiber composite wings and engines that promise 10% better fuel efficiency and operating costs compared to other fleet families.
This acquisition will support Ethiopian Airlines’ plans to expand and modernize its fleet to meet the demands of high-traffic markets in Africa, Asia, Europe, and North America.
As part of its Vision 2035, Ethiopian aims to serve more than 209 international destinations with a fleet of over 271 modern and eco-friendly aircraft. Brad McMullen, Boeing Senior Vice President of Commercial Sales and Marketing, remarked, “Ethiopian Airlines marks yet another milestone in our longstanding partnership by selecting the 777-9 to lead its growing fleet.
We value the trust and confidence Ethiopian Airlines places in our airplanes, reflecting a relationship spanning 75 years.”
Boeing plays a significant role in Ethiopian Airlines’ current fleet, comprising 29 787 Dreamliners, 20 777s, 27 Next-Generation 737s, 15 737 MAX, and 3 767 jets.
The collaboration between Ethiopian Airlines and Boeing extends beyond fleet expansion, encompassing support for aerospace industry development, maintenance, repair, and overhaul capabilities, as well as educational initiatives.
Boeing’s Commercial Market Outlook forecasts Africa’s air traffic growth at over 7% through 2042, positioning the continent among the fastest-growing regions globally.
With a range of 13,510 km (7,295 nautical miles), the 777-9 enables Ethiopian Airlines to operate flights from Addis Ababa to destinations as far as Seattle in the U.S.
Ethiopian Airlines, recognized as the fastest-growing airlines brand globally and the continent’s largest airline brand, has emerged as a leader in African aviation over its seventy-seven years of operation.
In addition to its hub in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, the airline pursues a multi-hub strategy through partnerships in Lomé, Togo; Lilongwe, Malawi; and Lusaka, Zambia, serving over 150 domestic and international destinations across five continents.
