Ethiopian Airlines boosts fleet as it targets global route expansion

Published: 2026-04-23 02:06:09 ET BA

Published on 04/23/2026 at 02:06 am EDT

Ethiopian Airlines is expanding its long-haul fleet with an order for six additional Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft, as it looks to grow intercontinental routes across Africa, as well as to the US, Europe and Asia.

Group chief executive Mesfin Tasew said the airline had converted six options into firm orders following a prior commitment for 20 Dreamliners, including nine ordered earlier this year. Deliveries for the combined 26 aircraft are scheduled to begin in 2028.

Speaking after a signing ceremony at Boeing (NYSE:BA) headquarters near Washington, Tasew said the additional capacity would allow the airline to deploy larger aircraft on high-demand African routes and open new long-haul destinations.

“There are mature routes we need,” he said as quoted by Reuters, adding that aircraft shortages had previously constrained expansion plans, including potential services to Australia.

The ceremony was attended by officials from the Trump administration, which has prioritised boosting exports of US-manufactured aircraft.

Tasew also outlined progress on the state carrier’s planned $12.5bn airport development in Bishoftu, about 45km southeast of Addis Ababa, which is expected to become Africa’s largest aviation hub when completed by 2030.

The new airport is designed with four runways and a capacity of 60mn passengers annually, more than four times that of Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, which is projected to reach capacity within two to three years.

Financing discussions are ongoing, with the African Development Bank having committed $500mn and leading efforts to raise a further $8.7bn for the project. Tasew said several US financial institutions had expressed interest in participating in the funding package, according to Reuters.