News Infrastructures

Ethiopian Airlines Expands Cargo Fleet with New Boeing 777 Freighter

Ethiopian Airlines Expands Cargo Fleet with New Boeing 777 Freighter
Tuesday, 27 May 2025 13:23

• Ethiopian Airlines adds a twelfth Boeing 777-200LR Freighter to support its Vision 2035 strategy
• The aircraft will boost cargo capacity amid rising global freight demand and e-commerce growth
• The move consolidates Ethiopia’s leadership in African air logistics and trade connectivity

Ethiopian Airlines has expanded its cargo fleet with the delivery of a twelfth Boeing 777-200LR Freighter, reinforcing the group’s ambition to lead African air logistics. The new aircraft, registered ET-BAC, was delivered on May 25, 2025, to Ethiopian Cargo, the freight division of the airline.

This latest acquisition is part of Ethiopian Airlines’ Vision 2035 strategy, which targets a more than twofold expansion of its total fleet. The goal is to grow from current levels to 270 aircraft, enabling the group to serve 65 million passengers and handle 3 million tonnes of cargo annually by 2035, compared to 15.8 million passengers in 2024.

The cargo fleet expansion comes as the global air freight market experiences steady growth, intensified by rising competition on international routes and increasing demand for logistics services. Group CEO Mesfin Tasew noted that the aircraft strengthens the company’s modern fleet and plays a key role in advancing its objective to link Africa with global markets through high-quality air logistics.

The new freighter is also a strategic asset in strengthening Ethiopia’s logistics sovereignty, as the continent works to reduce dependency on external trade systems and lower logistics costs. This push coincides with the rollout of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which aims to increase intra-African commerce and integration.

Ethiopian’s cargo operations support a wide range of services, including general freight, special goods, chartered logistics, courier and postal services. Specialized offerings such as the Ethiopian Pharma Wing and Cargo Express Service are tailored for pharmaceuticals and time-sensitive deliveries, respectively.

The airline’s investment in cargo capabilities aligns with booming e-commerce trends in Africa. A July 2024 report by cross-border payment firm Nikulipe, titled "Payments and E-commerce in Africa 2024", projected that the African e-commerce market will grow by $15 billion by 2028, a 49% increase over four years.

By boosting its cargo fleet, Ethiopian Airlines positions itself to remain a dominant player in both regional and global freight markets while contributing to the continent’s evolving trade infrastructure.

On the same topic
• Rwandan government to inject new funds into delayed Bugesera Airport project• Allocation included in 2025/2026 budget to help meet new 2027 launch...
• Tunisia to receive €160 million from the EBRD for rail upgrades• The total investment of €185 million includes €25 million from the...
Angola to add 1,200 km of new railway lines under its transport reform plan Intelligent systems will improve safety and operational...
• South Africa launches initiative to create SASCO, its first national shipping firm since 1999.• A steering committee will explore models including ship...
Most Read
01

BCEAO lowers main rate from 3.50% to 3.25% effective June 16, 2025 Inflation eased to 2.3% in...

BCEAO Cuts Key Rate to 3.25% to Stimulate Regional Growth
02

• Funding resumes after 2023 suspension tied to Uganda’s anti-LGBT legislation• Three new projects a...

World Bank Resumes Support to Uganda Despite LGBT Law Concerns
03

Wingu Africa raised $60 million from South Africa’s Rand Merchant Bank Funds will expand...

Wingu Africa Secures $60mln to Boost Digital Infrastructure
04

• Ghana aims to secure LBMA license to boost refinery access to global markets• Reforms include gold...

Ghana Launches Reforms to Pursue LBMA License for Gold Refineries
05

AfDB raised $3 billion in a two-part bond issuance in U.S. dollars. The deal included th...

AfDB Raises First-Ever 10-Year Global Dollar Bond
Enter your email to receive our newsletter

Ecofin Agency provides daily coverage of nine key African economic sectors: public management, finance, telecoms, agribusiness, mining, energy, transport, communication, and education.
It also designs and manages specialized media, both online and print, for African institutions and publishers.

SALES & ADVERTISING

Benjamin FLAUX
bf@agenceecofin.com 
Téls: +41 22 301 96 11 
Mob: +41 78 699 13 72
Média kit : Download

EDITORIAL
redaction@agenceecofin.com

More information
Team
Publisher

ECOFIN AGENCY

Mediamania Sarl
Rue du Léman, 6
1201 Geneva
Switzerland

 

Ecofin Agency is a sector-focused economic news agency, founded in December 2010. Its web platform was launched in June 2011. ©Mediamania.

 
 

Please publish modules in offcanvas position.