Ethiopian Airlines doubles its cargo fleet with a major Boeing order

TOP MAGAZINE · Sea Freight

Ethiopian Airlines is investing heavily in its cargo capacity with the order of ten new Boeing cargo aircraft. This fleet expansion is intended to strengthen the airline’s position in the African air cargo market and capitalise on the structural growth in cargo volumes.

Major order: ten new Boeing freighters

Ethiopian Airlines has placed an order for a total of ten new Boeing cargo aircraft: eight 777-8 Freighters and two 777 Freighters. With this move, Africa’s largest airline is committing to a substantial expansion of its cargo fleet over the next ten years.

The company aims to grow its dedicated cargo fleet from 19 to 37 aircraft by 2035. Delivery of the aircraft will take place in phases between 2027 and 2035. With this order, Ethiopian Airlines becomes the first African customer for the new Boeing 777-8 Freighter.

Strong growth in African air freight

Ethiopian Airlines’ cargo division carried nearly 900,000 tonnes of freight in 2025/2026, an increase of 16 per cent compared with the previous year. Total capacity also rose by 8 per cent during this period. Demand for air freight in Africa continues to rise: in June 2026 alone, demand among African airlines grew by 4.7 per cent compared with the previous year.

Ethiopian Airlines is capitalising on this trend by having four passenger aircraft converted into cargo planes. In addition, there are plans for an airport at a new location south of Addis Ababa, which will eventually be able to handle over 3.7 million tonnes of cargo per year.

Challenges and opportunities for the future

The expansion of the fleet will support further growth in cargo volumes, but at the same time requires investment in logistics infrastructure. For example, capacity constraints at the current airport are driving the construction of a second, larger airport.

Ethiopian Airlines also holds an option on eight additional Boeing 777-8 Freighters, enabling the company to respond flexibly to future market demand. Decisions on this will depend on actual growth and operational requirements leading up to 2035.

What does this mean for your shipment?

TOP’s analysis based on the above development.

Planning

Shippers to or from Africa can expect a wider range of freight capacity in the long term, particularly towards the end of this decade and beyond.

Costs

A larger fleet may, in the long term, lead to greater competition and consequently potentially more stable or more competitive rates, but investments in the fleet and infrastructure may affect operating costs in the short term.

Point to note

Bear in mind the phased expansion: the greatest increase in capacity will become available between 2027 and 2035. Until then, existing capacity constraints may continue to be a factor locally.