Ethiopian Airlines has signed an agreement to purchase 10 Boeing freighter aircraft, with an option to acquire eight additional planes, as the airline continues to expand its cargo operations.

The agreement, signed in Addis Ababa on September 30, includes eight Boeing 777-8F freighters and two Boeing 777F aircraft, Ethiopian Airlines CEO Mesfin Tasew said at the signing ceremony.

The aircraft have a combined catalogue value of about $5 billion, although the actual purchase price remains confidential.

Ethiopian Airlines also has the right to purchase eight additional Boeing 777-8Fs under the agreement.

The new order will expand the airline’s existing cargo fleet, which currently includes 12 Boeing 777Fs, three Boeing 767 freighters and four converted Boeing 737 aircraft operating on medium-haul routes. The airline has more than 140 aircraft in total.

The expansion comes as Ethiopian Airlines continues to position Addis Ababa as a major aviation and cargo hub connecting Africa with global markets.

The airline is also contributing to the financing of a $12.5 billion airport project that Ethiopian officials say will become Africa’s largest airport. The first phase of the new airport is scheduled to open in 2030.

Source: Reuters