Ethiopian Airlines has ordered eight Boeing 777-8 Freighters and two 777 Freighters in Addis Ababa, adding to its cargo fleet with the first African purchase of the next-generation 777-8F. The carrier also secured rights to buy eight more 777-8Fs, while the deal extends its partnership with Boeing across both the existing 777 freighter and the 777X family.
The airline already operates 12 Boeing 777 freighters, alongside 767 freighters and 737-800 converted freighters, and cargo remains central to its long-haul strategy. Ethiopian’s chief executive, Mesfin Tasew, placed the catalogue value of the 10-aircraft agreement at about $5 billion, although the negotiated price was not disclosed.
Delivery timing reported after the signing points to 2027 and 2028 for the two 777Fs and 2033 to 2035 for the eight 777-8Fs. Boeing described the order as Ethiopian Airlines’ second from the 777X family, following its earlier purchase of eight 777-9 passenger aircraft, which made the carrier Africa’s first 777X customer.