• Ethiopian Airlines is reportedly nearing a deal for up to 10 Boeing long-haul freighters, potentially combining 777Fs with the delayed 777-8F.
• The move would support the carrier’s broader Bishoftu hub strategy, strengthening its ability to capture long-haul cargo flows between Africa, Asia, Europe and the Middle East.
• For Boeing, additional 777F orders could provide valuable near-term production demand while the company works through delays to the 777-8F programme.

Ethiopian Airlines could be on the verge of one of the more significant freighter fleet moves in the African market.

The carrier is reportedly close to an agreement with Boeing covering as many as 10 long-haul freighters, with the prospective deal understood to combine current-generation 777Fs with the delayed 777-8F. The final number could still change before an agreement is signed.

Ethiopian is building its cargo operation around a much larger hub strategy, with the planned Bishoftu International Airport southeast of Addis Ababa intended to become a major intercontinental gateway. The facility is designed to handle up to 3.7 million metric tons of cargo annually once fully developed.

That gives the potential freighter order a wider strategic significance. More long-haul capacity would strengthen Ethiopian’s ability to connect African cargo markets directly with major centres in Asia, Europe and the Middle East, reducing the extent to which those flows need to rely on established Gulf hubs.

Ethiopian handled about 897,000 metric tons of cargo in its most recent financial year, up 16 percent year on year. Two 777Fs could provide near-term capacity while Boeing works through the delays surrounding the 777-8F. The manufacturer is already seeking regulatory approval to extend 777F production beyond the current end-2027 limit, making additional orders for the existing freighter particularly relevant as the transition to the next generation takes longer than planned.

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