Boeing and Ethiopian Airlines announced today an agreement for the airline to purchase the upcoming Boeing 777-9.
Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 777-9 – Rendering, The Boeing Company.
Ethiopian Airlines has signed for eight 777-9 aircraft, with the “potential” to add a further 12 additional jets further along the line. The move by the airline makes it the first 777X customer in Africa and builds on its 2023 order for 11 787 Dreamliners and 20 737 MAX to modernise and grow its fleet.
The 777X – the next iteration of the Boeing 777 family – features technologies from the 787 Dreamliner family. It will also bring new carbon-fibre composite wings and engines to improve operating costs and efficiencies.
The 777-9 will support Ethiopian Airlines’ plans to grow and renew its fleet in size, range and passenger and cargo capacity to reach high-demand markets in Africa, Asia, Europe and North America.
In Quotes
Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO Mr Mesfin Tasew said:
“We are pleased to continue setting the trend in African aviation by adopting cutting-edge technologies to enhance our services and customer satisfaction. Improving our operational performance and commitment to environmental sustainability, the 777-9 offers more flexibility, reduced fuel consumption and carbon emissions,”
“We are grateful to Boeing for their long-standing partnership and support, and we eagerly anticipate flying the 777-9 across the African skies and beyond.”
Brad McMullen, Boeing senior vice president of Commercial Sales and Marketing added
“Ethiopian Airlines marks yet another first in our longstanding partnership by selecting the 777-9 to be the flagship of its growing fleet,”
“Building on a relationship that goes back 75 years, we deeply value the unwavering trust and confidence Ethiopian Airlines puts in our airplanes.”
Supporting the Ethiopian Airlines fleet
Boeing aircraft make up more than half of Ethiopian Airlines’ current fleet, including 29 787 Dreamliners, 20 777s, three 767s, 27 Next-Generation 737s and 15 737 MAX jets.
The rest of the fleet is made up of the Airbus A350-900 (with the -1000 variant on order) and De Havilland DHC Dash8-Q400 aircraft.
With the agreement, Ethiopian Airlines is pushing itself forward, with further long-haul Boeing options – which is good to see. The concern is the delays with the aircraft, with testing still ongoing, with a lot of other customers in the queue to receive the type.
We’ll have to see where Ethiopian Airlines shakes out in this queue.
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