Ethiopian Airlines Closes In on $2 Billion Cargo Plane Deal Amid Mega-Airport Construction
Africa's largest airline, Ethiopian Airlines, is close to finalizing a deal for as many as ten Boeing cargo aircraft. The agreement would see the carrier order two current-generation Boeing 777 freighters and several next-generation 777-8Fs, according to Reuters.
The prospective deal comes as Ethiopian prepares for its new $12.5 billion mega-airport, designed to handle 3.7 million tonnes of freight annually. The airport's construction is a major undertaking that will provide a significant boost to the airline's cargo capacity and operations.
Ethiopian Airlines already operates 12 Boeing 777 freighters, making 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, a 16% increase from the previous year.