Addis Ababa, September 30, 2026 (FMC) — Ethiopian Airlines and Boeing have signed an agreement for the acquisition of 10 Boeing 777 freighters, marking another major step in the airline’s fleet modernization and long-term expansion of its global cargo operations.
The agreement, signed at Ethiopian Skylight Hotel by Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO Mesfin Tasew and Boeing Senior Vice President of Commercial Sales and Marketing Brad McMullen, covers eight Boeing 777-8 Freighters and two current-generation Boeing 777 Freighters.
The eight 777-8 Freighters are next-generation cargo aircraft, with deliveries scheduled between 2033 and 2035, while the two Boeing 777 Freighters are scheduled for delivery in 2027 and 2028.
Ethiopian Airlines will also acquire four additional Boeing 777 freighters converted from passenger aircraft, further strengthening the capacity of its expanding cargo fleet.
The fleet expansion forms part of Ethiopian Airlines’ Vision 2040 strategy to scale up both passenger and cargo operations. Cargo currently accounts for about 23 percent of the airline’s total revenue, underscoring its growing importance to the carrier’s business.
“ As part of our Vision 2040 strategy, we are set to expand our cargo operation by adding more cargo airplanes,” Mesfin said.
He said the additional aircraft will enhance cargo capacity and operational efficiency, enabling Ethiopian Airlines to respond to evolving demand for air freight transportation across its global network.
The agreement also reflects the depth of Ethiopian Airlines’ longstanding partnership with Boeing. Mesfin said nearly 80 percent of the airline’s jet aircraft were manufactured by Boeing, while 84 of its 102 firm aircraft orders are from Boeing and are scheduled for delivery over the coming seven years.
He noted that the partnership extends beyond aircraft purchases and operations to industrial development, capacity building, training, leadership development and aerospace manufacturing.
Ethiopian Airlines, he said, manufactures aircraft parts and supplies them to Boeing for the production of new aircraft, further broadening the industrial dimension of the partnership.
“Our cooperation between the two companies is wide, and it is based on value, trust and collaboration,” Mesfin said.
McMullen said the partnership between Boeing and Ethiopian Airlines spans nearly 80 years and has been marked by a series of milestones in the development of African aviation.
He said the latest agreement makes Ethiopian Airlines the first African carrier to order the Boeing 777-8 Freighter, while the combination of eight 777-8 Freighters and two 777 Freighters will support the airline’s continued expansion across Africa and beyond.
The 777-8 Freighter combines the established capabilities of the Boeing 777 Freighter with advanced technologies from Boeing’s 777X family. McMullen described it as the newest, largest and most efficient twin-engine freighter in its class, featuring an all-new carbon-fiber composite wing.
He said the aircraft will provide Ethiopian Airlines with additional capacity and capabilities as demand for global air cargo services continues to grow.
The Boeing 777 Freighter is currently the world’s longest-range twin-engine freighter, enabling carriers to reduce fuel and operating costs while maintaining high daily aircraft utilization, according to McMullen.
He also highlighted the performance of Ethiopian Airlines’ existing 777 Freighter, saying it was the most-utilized aircraft across the global commercial fleet last year, reflecting the strength of the airline’s cargo operation and its longstanding partnership with Boeing.
The Boeing-Ethiopian Airlines partnership also extends into the wider aviation ecosystem, including industrial development, aviation supply-chain opportunities, education and training through a Center of Excellence, expanded Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) capabilities, and the development of the next generation of aviation leaders.
“We look forward to shaping the future together,” McMullen said.