Ethiopian Airlines has ordered eight Boeing 777-8 Freighters and two 777 Freighters in a deal announced in Addis Ababa, adding to its long-haul cargo fleet as it prepares for further network growth. The carrier becomes the first in Africa to order the 777-8 Freighter, while the agreement also extends its relationship with Boeing’s 777X family.
The new order is Ethiopian’s second commitment to the 777X programme, following its earlier purchase of eight 777-9 passenger jets. Boeing has positioned the 777-8 Freighter as a 118-tonne payload aircraft designed to support larger cargo networks with lower fuel burn and operating costs. Ethiopian already operates 12 777 Freighters, plus three Boeing 767 freighters and four converted 737 freighters, giving it one of the continent’s largest all-Boeing cargo fleets.
Chief executive Mesfin Tasew also outlined an option to acquire eight additional 777-8 Freighters. He put the catalogue value of the 10-aircraft deal at about $5 billion, while the negotiated price remains confidential. Deliveries for the two 777Fs are expected in 2027 and 2028, with the 777-8Fs slated for 2033 to 2035, reflecting the long development timeline for Boeing’s newest freighter programme.