• Ethiopian Airlines orders nine Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners for delivery 2031-2033

• Deal supports fleet renewal, fuel efficiency and long-haul network expansion

• Order aligns with Vision 2040 growth plan targeting global top-20 status

Ethiopian Airlines is continuing to bolster its long-haul fleet with an order for nine Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners.

“We are pleased to confirm the order for nine Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft to further expand our existing fleet. This order underscores our continued commitment to enhancing our fleet with modern, fuel-efficient aircraft, thereby further strengthening our customer service,” Ethiopian Airlines Chief Executive Officer Mesfin Tasew said in a joint statement released on Tuesday, Jan. 20.

Anbessie Yitbarek, Boeing vice president of Commercial Sales and Marketing for Africa, said the 787 Dreamliner family has established itself as a major shift for airlines worldwide. He added that Boeing was proud to support Ethiopian Airlines as it expands connectivity between Africa and the rest of the world.

Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner

The order, with deliveries scheduled for 2031-2033, follows Ethiopian’s commitment to buy 11 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft announced during the Dubai Airshow. The airline already operates Africa’s largest 787 Dreamliner fleet, including 787-8 and 787-9 variants, on long-haul routes from Addis Ababa to major destinations in Europe, Asia and North America, as well as on key routes within Africa.

An ambitious development plan

The new 787s, which reduce fuel consumption and emissions by 25% compared with the aircraft they will replace, are expected to support network expansion and improve international connectivity, offering passengers more travel options. The company also announced in November 2025 a firm order for six Airbus A350-900s, which also cut fuel burn and CO2 emissions by 25% compared with previous-generation long-haul aircraft.

These acquisitions are part of the “Vision 2040” strategic development plan, which aims to place the national carrier among the world’s top 20 airlines. The plan targets annual revenue of $29 billion by 2040, up from $7.6 billion in the 2024/25 financial year. It also aims to increase passenger traffic to 63.9 million from 19 million in the last fiscal year, and to raise cargo volumes to 1.9 million tonnes from 754,000 tonnes.

To support this growth, the fleet is expected to expand to 303 aircraft from 145, while the international network is set to grow to 243 destinations from 144.

As part of this expansion, Ethiopia launched construction of a new airport in Bishoftu on Saturday, Jan. 10. The facility will be built about 40 km southeast of the capital, Addis Ababa. Described as “the largest airport infrastructure project in African history,” it is expected to feature four runways and capacity to accommodate 270 aircraft.

Walid Kéfi