- East African airline to leverage more 787-9 aircraft to expand international network
- Ethiopia also completes purchase of 11 more 737 MAX aircraft
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, January 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Boeing (NYSE: BA) and Ethiopia Airlines announced today from Africa The largest airline has ordered nine 787 Dreamliner aircraft as demand for long-haul travel continues to rise. Ethiopian Airlines will leverage the 787-9 aircraft to expand its route network, which currently serves 145 international destinations.
The airline’s latest 787 purchase follows its commitment of 11 737 MAX aircraft announced at the Dubai Air show. Both orders were completed in December 2025 and increases Ethiopian Airlines’ order book with a total of 20 fuel-efficient Boeing aircraft.
“We are pleased to confirm the order for nine Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft to further expand our existing fleet. This order underlines our continued commitment to enhancing our fleet with modern, fuel-efficient aircraft, thereby further strengthening our customer service,” he said. Mesfin TasewCEO of Ethiopian Airlines group. “We will continue to acquire more aircraft and adopt the latest technologies as part of our strategic vision to advance sustainable aviation.”
Ethiopian Airlines operates from Africa The largest 787 Dreamliner fleet, flying its 787-8 and 787-9 aircraft on intercontinental routes from Addis Ababa to high demand destinations in Europe, Asia and North America as well as key intra-African routes traversing the world’s second largest continent.
“The 787 Dreamliner family has proven to be a game-changer for airlines around the world and we are proud to support Etopian Airlines in its mission to connect Africa with the global community,” said Anbessie Yitbarek, Boeing vice president of Commercial Sales and Marketing for Africa. “Together, we look forward to shaping the future of air travel with advanced, efficient and comfortable aircraft to serve its passengers.”
The capacity and efficiency of the 787 Dreamliner, which reduces fuel use and emissions by 25% compared to the aircraft it replaces, allows Ethiopian Airlines to transport passengers from point to point across Africa while accommodating cargo in the belly of the aircraft for high-demand commercial routes.
Since 2011, the 787 Dreamliner family has helped airlines open more than 520 new nonstop routes between never-before-served city pairs and carried more than one billion passengers.
Ethiopian Airlines operates the largest fleet of Boeing aircraft in the world. Africa and has the continent’s largest order book for 737 MAX, 777X and 787 Dreamliner aircraft.
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