Ethiopian Orders 737 MAXs, 787s From Boeing As It Plans To Double Fleet

DUBAI—Ethiopian Airlines has placed an order for up to 67 Boeing aircraft including firm orders for 20 737-8s and 11 787-9s, with plans to more than double its fleet to 270 by 2035.

The agreement, announced Nov. 14 at the Dubai Airshow, sees deliveries taking place over the 2026-30 period and also includes options for an additional 15 787s and 21 -8s. 

Ethiopian operates Africa's largest 787 fleet with a mix of 787-8s and 787-9s. The new narrowbody order grows its 737 MAX backlog to 50. It currently serves over 130 international destinations.

“Our vision is by 2035 we should be one of the top 20 global leading airlines,” said Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO Mesfin Tasew. “The number of airplanes that we are ordering today is just one step forward.”

The order also reflects renewed confidence in MAX improvements, the airline CEO noted, after a fatal crash in 2019 claimed the lives of all 157 on board.

“The accident of the MAX… has left a big scar in our memory,” Tasew said. “We have checked and confirmed that the design defect of that aircraft has been fully corrected by Boeing, and we have renewed our confidence in that aircraft.”

Additional orders are expected “in the coming months,” and the carrier is considering both Boeing and Airbus—though it is keeping an eye on the inspections of Pratt & Whitney's GTF engines which continue to hamper Airbus A220 operator capacity as Ethiopian eyes replacing its turboprops with 100-seat jets for domestic routes

“Regarding the A220, our fleet assessment exercise indicates that that is a very good aircraft as a regional jet … but due to what that aircraft is experiencing today regarding engines we are waiting until that problem is corrected,” Tasew said. “Until we see that the engine problem is solved, we are not encouraged to place an order on that.”

As the current delivery schedule from Boeing on the new order “doesn’t meet our expectations,” Tasew said the airline plans to lease additional 787s and MAX aircraft over the next two to three years to bridge the gap.

According to Boeing, the agreement represents the largest-ever purchase of its airplanes in African history.

Ethiopian will also work with Boeing Global Services for cabin modifications on its existing 787s, including installation of new in-flight entertainment from Thales and new seats in all cabins, including lie-flat business-class seats from Boeing joint venture Adient Aerospace. A supplier for the economy class seat has yet to be selected.