Ethiopian Airlines is further reinforcing its long haul strategy after confirming an order for six additional Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft. The deal represents the conversion of options from the major order placed in 2023, allowing the African carrier to continue expanding its widebody fleet intended to support the growth of its international network from Addis Ababa.
The new order comes at a time when demand for long haul travel continues to rise, while Ethiopian is seeking to further strengthen its presence in intercontinental markets. The 787-9 aircraft are expected to enable the airline to launch new routes, add capacity on existing services and at the same time provide more space for cargo carried in the belly of the aircraft, an important part of the business on increasingly busy international trade lanes.
Ethiopian Airlines management said the confirmation of the order marks another important step in the company’s long-term development. Group Chief Executive Officer Mesfin Tasew said the move confirms the airline’s path of sustainable growth, as well as its preparation for further business achievements. He also stressed that the introduction of modern aircraft such as the Boeing 787-9 helps maintain high operational efficiency while further improving passenger comfort.
Ethiopian Airlines already operates the largest Dreamliner fleet in Africa. Its Boeing 787-8 and 787-9 aircraft serve numerous intercontinental routes to Europe, Asia, and North America, as well as selected key services within Africa itself. It is precisely this combination of long international flights and strong regional connectivity that makes the Dreamliner one of the most important aircraft types in the Ethiopian fleet.
Boeing said Ethiopian Airlines continues to see the Dreamliner as the backbone of its fleet as it modernises operations, opens new routes and increases the number of passengers it can carry. The US manufacturer also highlighted the versatility of the aircraft type, which, alongside lower fuel consumption, enables efficient point to point passenger transport while also offering valuable additional cargo capacity in the lower hold.
For Ethiopian Airlines, this order is important not only from a fleet perspective, but also as confirmation of its ambition to further strengthen its role as Africa’s leading airline. The company currently serves more than 145 destinations worldwide and operates a fleet of more than 170 modern and more environmentally efficient aircraft, with an average fleet age of around seven years. As a Star Alliance member and a multiple winner of the SKYTRAX award for Best Airline in Africa, Ethiopian has in recent years been building its position as a carrier seeking to provide ever stronger connectivity between Africa and the rest of the world.
The confirmation of six additional Dreamliners therefore fits into the broader picture of Ethiopian’s continued network growth and the strengthening of Addis Ababa as one of the most important aviation hubs on the African continent.
