Ethiopian Airlines is close to ordering as many as ten Boeing long-haul cargo aircraft as Africa’s largest carrier prepares for a $12.5 billion airport designed to handle 3.7 million tonnes of freight annually.
The prospective agreement could include two current-generation Boeing 777 freighters and several next-generation 777-8Fs, Reuters reported, citing two aviation-industry sources familiar with the negotiations.
Neither Ethiopian Airlines nor Boeing has announced a signed order. The number and combination of aircraft could still change.
Ethiopian has also considered the Airbus A350F, meaning Boeing has not publicly secured the transaction.
If completed, the deal would deepen one of Boeing’s longest-standing African relationships while helping the American manufacturer manage a difficult transition between two generations of cargo aircraft.
**Ethiopian’s expanding cargo business**
Ethiopian Airlines already operates 12 Boeing 777 freighters, giving it one of the largest dedicated cargo fleets controlled by an African airline.
The carrier transported approximately 897,000 tonnes of freight during its 2025/26 financial year, an increase of 16% from the previous year.
Its cargo network handles flowers, pharmaceuticals, fruits, vegetables, industrial equipment and e-commerce shipments moving between Africa and international markets.
Ethiopian’s location allows it to gather cargo from smaller African economies at Addis Ababa before transferring it to long-haul services heading to Asia, Europe, the Middle East and the Americas.
The airline also operates specialised facilities for pharmaceuticals, temperature-sensitive produce and live animals.
Ethiopian’s overall revenue increased 20% to approximately $9.1 billion during its latest financial year, while passenger numbers reached 20.7 million.
Ethiopian Airlines earlier crossed $9 billion in annual revenue despite aircraft shortages and disruptions affecting international travel.
New freighters would allow it to expand the profitable cargo operation while preparing for the much larger airport under construction outside Addis Ababa.
**The $12.5 billion Bishoftu airport**
Ethiopian Airlines is leading the development of Bishoftu International Airport, approximately 45 kilometres southeast of the capital.
The project is expected to cost $12.5 billion and become Africa’s largest airport when fully developed.
Its first phase, targeted for 2030, is intended to handle 60 million passengers annually. Ultimate capacity is projected at 110 million passengers and 3.7 million tonnes of cargo.
The new airport is designed to ease pressure on Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, where the surrounding city limits further expansion.
Business Insider Africa previously examined how Ethiopia favoured Chinese companies for major parts of the airport project after no Western contractor submitted a qualifying proposal.
The airline is expected to provide about 30% of the airport’s cost. International lenders would finance the remainder, with the African Development Bank leading efforts to mobilise billions of dollars.
The proposed cargo-aircraft purchase would form part of the same long-term strategy: creating an aviation hub capable of competing with airports in Dubai, Doha and Istanbul for passengers and freight moving between continents.
**Boeing’s production dilemma**
The negotiations are also important for Boeing.
The existing 777F has become a preferred long-haul freighter because it can carry large loads without the fuel consumption and maintenance requirements of older four-engined aircraft.
However, new international emissions standards are due to prevent Boeing from continuing regular production of the current model after 2027.
The manufacturer has requested an exemption from the US Federal Aviation Administration that would allow it to build up to 35 additional aircraft.
Boeing needs that extension because certification delays have pushed back the arrival of the replacement 777-8F alongside the wider 777X programme.
An Ethiopian order containing both models could provide Boeing with a valuable bridge.
The two existing 777Fs could be delivered earlier, while the 777-8Fs would secure longer-term capacity once the new model completes certification.
For Ethiopian, such an arrangement would also carry risk. Any further delay to the 777-8F could leave the airline waiting for aircraft required to support its expansion.
**Boeing faces competition from Airbus**
Ethiopian has been a major Boeing customer for decades, but it has increasingly diversified its fleet.
The carrier already operates Airbus A350 passenger aircraft and has held discussions about additional wide-body planes.
Airbus is marketing the A350F as a more fuel-efficient alternative to older cargo aircraft. Securing Ethiopian would give Airbus an influential African customer for the new model.
Ethiopian has separately ordered six additional Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners for its passenger fleet.
The reported freighter negotiations therefore concern more than the purchase of additional planes. They form part of a competition between the world’s two largest aircraft manufacturers for the fleet of Africa’s biggest airline.
For Ethiopian, the decision will determine how quickly it can increase cargo capacity before its new airport opens. For Boeing, it could provide a major order during a difficult transition between freighter programmes.
Until either company announces an agreement, however, the transaction remains under negotiation and must not be described as a completed order.
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