Africa’s largest airline orders 10 Boeing freighters, secures option to buy 8 more as demand grows

Ethiopian Airlines has signed a deal to buy 10 Boeing cargo planes as Africa’s largest airline expands its freight operations and strengthens its position as a major aviation hub.

• Ethiopian Airlines is expanding its freight operations by signing a deal to purchase 10 new Boeing cargo planes, with an option for eight more.
• The order includes eight of Boeing’s latest 777-8 freighters and two 777Fs, valued at around $5 billion at list prices.
• These highly capable cargo jets are set to boost Ethiopian Airlines’ ability to meet rising global freight demand and further solidify its place as an aviation powerhouse.
• The deal comes on the heels of a 20% revenue surge for Ethiopian Airlines, fueled by robust growth in both passenger and cargo operations.

The agreement, signed in Addis Ababa on Wednesday, covers eight Boeing 777-8 freighters and two 777 freighters, with an option to purchase eight additional 777-8Fs, Chief Executive Officer Mesfin Tasew said.

Tasew said the aircraft have a combined catalogue price of about $5 billion, although the deal's actual value remains confidential.

The new aircraft are designed to handle growing global cargo demand, with the 777-8F capable of carrying large volumes of freight over long distances.

Ethiopian Airlines already operates 12 Boeing 777F cargo aircraft, alongside three Boeing 767 freighters and four converted 737s. The airline has a total fleet of more than 140 aircraft.

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Growing cargo business

The new order comes as Ethiopian Airlines expands its passenger and cargo operations across Africa and international markets.

The airline generated $9.1 billion in revenue in the financial year ended July 7, 2026, a 20% increase from the previous year. Passenger numbers rose 10% to 20.7 million, while cargo volumes increased 16% to 897,000 metric tonnes.

The airline has also been expanding its role as a logistics gateway connecting African markets with the rest of the world.

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$12.5 billion airport project

Ethiopian Airlines is also helping finance a $12.5 billion airport project near Addis Ababa, which officials say will become Africa’s largest airport.

The first phase is expected to open in 2030 and will form part of Ethiopia’s wider strategy to strengthen its position as a global aviation and cargo hub.

The Boeing deal also deepens a long-standing relationship between the US aircraft manufacturer and Ethiopian Airlines, while giving Boeing a major African customer for its next-generation freighter.