• Airline to lease two converted Boeing 777 freighters for delivery in 2028

• Move aligns with strong global growth in air cargo demand

• Carrier aims to nearly triple freight volumes by 2040

Ethiopian Airlines plans to expand its cargo capacity with the addition of two Boeing 777-300ERSF aircraft, originally designed for passenger transport but converted into freighters. The airline has signed a leasing agreement with Ireland-based AerCap, with deliveries expected in the second quarter of 2028. The move comes amid sustained growth in global air cargo demand.

According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the value of goods transported by air rose 25% year-on-year between January and August 2025, based on data from 47 countries representing 39% of global trade. By comparison, total trade across all transport modes grew by 7%, while maritime transport recorded less than 1% growth. For 2026, IATA forecasts global air freight volumes to increase by 2.6%.

Ethiopian Airlines aims to nearly triple its annual cargo traffic, from 754,000 tons in 2025 to 1.9 million tons by 2040, in line with its “Vision 2040” strategy. “As demand for air cargo continues to grow, Ethiopian Airlines remains committed to investing in modern and sustainable solutions that strengthen our position in the global cargo market,” said CEO Mesfin Tasew.

According to AerCap, the Boeing 777-300ERSF offers about 25% more capacity than current long-haul cargo aircraft, while also improving operational efficiency. However, despite strong growth prospects, the airline will face challenges including demand volatility, high conversion and operating costs, and logistical and infrastructure constraints in some African markets.

Henoc Dossa