Ethiopian Airlines Orders 10 Boeing 777 Freighters to Boost Cargo Capacity
On September 30, 2026, Ethiopian Airlines announced a firm order for eight Boeing 777-8 Freighters and two 777 Freighters from Boeing. The order makes Ethiopian Airlines the first African carrier to purchase the 777-8 Freighter and doubles its existing 777X family order book.
With a maximum structural payload of 118 tonnes, the 777-8 Freighter offers the highest payload and range of any twin engine freighter. Ethiopian Airlines currently serves more than 70 cargo markets across Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East and North America using a fleet of twelve 777 Freighters, two 767 Freighters, and four 737-800SF converted narrow body freighters. The new aircraft will be added to this fleet to provide greater flexibility for meeting rising global air‑cargo demand.
“This agreement marks another significant milestone in strengthening Ethiopian Airlines' cargo capabilities while supporting the continued expansion of our global network,” Mesfin Tasew, Group CEO of Ethiopian Airlines said.
“The airline continues to make history as the first in Africa to order the new 777-8 Freighter,” Brad McMullen, Boeing senior vice president of Commercial Sales and Marketing said.
Ethiopian Airlines previously became Africa’s first 777X customer with an order for eight 777‑9 passenger jets. That order established the carrier as the continent’s inaugural operator of the 777X family. The latest freighter order builds on that relationship with Boeing and expands the airline’s wide‑body cargo capacity.
What we know
Ethiopian Airlines ordered eight 777-8 Freighters and two 777 Freighters.
Ethiopian Airlines is the first African carrier to purchase the 777-8 Freighter.
The order doubles Ethiopian Airlines' 777X family order book.
The 777-8 Freighter has a maximum structural payload of 118 tonnes.
Ethiopian Airlines currently connects more than 70 cargo markets across Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East and North America.