Ethiopian Airlines has ordered eight Boeing 777-8 Freighters and two 777 Freighters in Addis Ababa, becoming the first African carrier to commit to the next-generation 777-8F. The deal expands the airline’s cargo fleet and deepens its ties to Boeing’s 777X family, alongside its existing order for eight 777-9 passenger jets.
The airline operates cargo services across more than 70 markets in Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East and North America. Boeing described the 777-8F as the newest and largest twin-engine freighter in the family, with a maximum structural payload of 118 tonnes.
Ethiopian chief executive Mesfin Tasew put the catalogue value of the 10-aircraft order at about $5 billion, although the final contract value remains confidential. Reuters reported that the two 777Fs are due in 2027 and 2028, while the 777-8Fs are scheduled for delivery between 2033 and 2035. The airline also has an option to buy eight additional 777-8Fs.