Ethiopian Airlines has placed an order for six additional Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft, reinforcing its long-haul expansion strategy and strengthening its position as Africa’s largest widebody operator.
The order comes as the airline converts previously held options into firm commitments, bringing its total 787 order pipeline to 26 aircraft, with deliveries expected to begin from 2028.
The new aircraft will be deployed on Ethiopian’s intercontinental network, supporting expansion across key markets in Africa, Europe, Asia and North America. The airline also intends to use the additional capacity to increase cargo uplift on long-haul routes, reflecting growing demand for both passenger and freight services.
Group CEO Mesfin Tasew Bekele said the additional aircraft are critical to meeting demand on mature routes and unlocking new long-haul opportunities that were previously constrained by fleet limitations.
The move is part of a broader fleet expansion strategy by Ethiopian Airlines, which has continued to invest aggressively in both narrowbody and widebody aircraft despite global supply chain challenges and aircraft delivery delays affecting the industry.
Ethiopian already operates Africa’s largest Dreamliner fleet, with the Boeing 787 forming the backbone of its long-haul operations. The latest order further consolidates that position as the airline continues to scale its global network.
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