Ethiopian Airlines has placed an order for nine additional Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft, expanding its widebody fleet to meet growing demands for long-haul and regional travel. The order brings the airline’s total commitment for the aircraft to 20 jets and further adds to its Boeing backlog.
Order to Expand upon Widebody Fleet
On January 20 Boeing announced the order for nine additional Boeing 787-9 aircraft. Currently, Ethiopian Airlines serves 145 international destinations and operates the largest 787 fleet in Africa. The carrier flies both 787-8 and 787-9 aircraft from Addis Ababa International Airport to a range of destinations in Europe, Asia, and North America, alongside many other high-demand destinations within Africa.
“This order underscores our continued commitment to enhancing our fleet with modern, fuel-efficient aircraft, thereby further strengthening our customer service,” said Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO, Mesfin Tasew.
“We will continue to acquire more aircraft and adopt the latest technologies as part of our strategic vision to advance sustainable aviation” he added.
Boeing Backlog Grows Following Dubai Airshow
The 787 order follows Ethiopian Airlines’ prior commitment to 11 Boeing 737-8 aircraft announced at the Dubai Airshow back in November. Both orders were finalised in December, bringing the carrier’s Boeing order book to 60 aircraft, consisting of 32 737-8s, eight 777-9s and 20 787-9s, according to fleet data.
Boeing’s vice president of Commercial Sales and Marketing for Africa, Anbessie Yitbarek stated:
“The 787 Dreamliner family has proven to be a game-changer for airlines around the world, and we are proud to support Ethiopian Airlines in their mission to connect Africa with the global community. Together, we look forward to shaping the future of air travel with advanced, efficient and comfortable airplanes to serve their passengers.”
Furthermore, Boeing said 787 reduces fuel use and emissions by 25% compared with the aircraft it replaces. Since entering service on October 26 2011, the Boeing 787 family has supported the launch of more than 520 nonstop routes worldwide. Nevertheless, Ethiopian Airlines operates Africa’s largest Boeing fleet by holding the continents biggest backlog of 737 MAX, 777x and 787 aircraft.
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