Ethiopian Airlines Places Huge Bet on Delayed Boeing Freighters

Boeing and Ethiopian Airlines announced on September 30th, 2026 an order for ten freighters. The two 777Fs that are part of this order are already in production and have been delivered hundreds of times. However, the eight 777-8 Freighters ordered by Ethiopian Airlines do not exist yet.

The Boeing 777-8F is a new-build cargo airframe that uses the 777X wing and GE9X engines. It has a maximum structural payload of 118 tonnes, which is roughly 10% more than the current 777 Freighter. The first deliveries are expected in 2028.

Boeing is still building the older 777F because the replacement, the 777-8F, is running late. In September 2026, the FAA granted an exemption allowing airworthiness certificates for up to 35 more 777Fs from January 1st, 2028 through January 1st, 2031.

Ethiopian Airlines Group has already placed orders for eight 777-9 passenger jets and now holds 18 Boeing 777s on order. The airline's cargo arm serves over 70 markets across Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and North America.