Ethiopian Airlines is reportedly nearing an order for up to 10 Boeing long-haul freighters ,industry sources told Reuter, as part of a broader push to build a new hub capable of competing with Gulf cargo carriers.

Africa’s largest airline already runs 12 777F freighters as part of its 147-aircraft fleet and has been expanding its cargo capabilities on multiple fronts including converting two leased 777-300ERs into freighters through AerCap, and weighing Airbus’s competing A350F.

The new order would pair two of Boeing’s current 777Fs with several of the newer 777-8F model whose entry has been delayed, prompting Boeing to seek an FAA waiver allowing it to deliver 35 more of the outgoing 777F before production declines under emissions rules at the end of 2027.

This order directly fits into Ethiopian Airlines’ larger infrastructure expansion of building Bishoftu International Airport which is expected to have its first phase opening in 2030 with an annual cargo capacity of 3.7 million metric tons. Cargo volumes are already going up and the airline moved 897,000 metric tons last financial year, up 16%.

Source: Reuters