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.
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.
$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.
