• 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.