Ethiopian Airlines announced on Tuesday a new order for nine Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner jets, reinforcing its position as Africa's largest operator of the fuel-efficient aircraft. The deal comes amid surging demand for long-haul travel and follows an earlier commitment for 11 Boeing 737 MAX jets announced at last year's Dubai Airshow.
With all 20 aircraft finalized last month, the carrier plans to expand its global network covering 145 international destinations. CEO Mesfin Tasew stated the acquisition aligns with the airline's strategy to "advance sustainable aviation" while enhancing service quality across intercontinental routes connecting Addis Ababa to key Asian, European, and North American hubs.
The airline currently operates 32 Dreamliners, utilizing the 787-8 and 787-9 variants to serve major markets. Analysts note the expansion could strengthen Africa-Asia connectivity, with Ethiopian Airlines already serving 22 Asian cities including Beijing, Mumbai, and Seoul.
