Addis Ababa, March 5, 2024 (FBC) – Ethiopian Airlines has entered into an agreement to purchase eight Boeing 777-9 airplanes, with the option to acquire up to 12 additional jets, marking the airline as the first in Africa to order the 777X model. This deal follows the airline’s significant order in 2023 for 11 787 Dreamliner and 20 737 MAX aircraft, as part of its fleet modernization and expansion strategy.
Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO, Mr. Mesfin Tasew, expressed the airline’s commitment to enhancing service and customer satisfaction through the adoption of advanced technologies. The 777-9’s design, which incorporates features from the 787 Dreamliner, offers improvements in fuel efficiency and reduced carbon emissions, aligning with the airline’s operational performance goals and environmental sustainability efforts.
Boeing’s senior vice president of Commercial Sales and Marketing, Brad McMullen, acknowledged the longstanding partnership with Ethiopian Airlines, which dates back 75 years. He noted the 777-9 would serve as the flagship of the airline’s growing fleet.
The 777-9 is expected to support Ethiopian Airlines’ ambitions to increase its reach and capacity, targeting high-demand markets across Africa, Asia, Europe, and North America.