Ethiopian Airlines Orders 10 Freighters from Boeing Amid Emissions Challenges

Ethiopian Airlines has signed an agreement with Boeing to purchase 10 factory-built freighters, including eight B777-8Fs and two B777-200Fs. The order also includes options for eight more B777-8Fs. According to Ethiopian CEO Mesfin Tasew, the catalogue price of the aircraft is $5 billion, although the actual price agreed upon remains confidential.

The deal comes as Boeing faces challenges in meeting new emissions standards, which bar newly built aircraft that exceed set fuel-efficiency and CO2 limits from receiving their first airworthiness certificate after 2028. The FAA has granted an exemption covering up to 35 newly built 777Fs, allowing production to continue until 2030.

The 777-8F, a new-generation freighter, is still awaiting certification and is expected to enter service in 2029. In contrast, the A350F from Airbus completed its maiden flight on Tuesday, powered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97 engines. The A350F is designed to carry up to 111 tonnes over a range of up to 8,700 km, with up to 40% lower fuel burn and CO2 emissions than competing aircraft.