ETHIOPIAN Airlines, Africa’s largest carrier, has made a significant stride in its expansion plans with the announcement of its intention to acquire 124 aircraft from leading manufacturers Boeing and Airbus. Mesfin Tasew, Chief Executive Officer of Ethiopian Airlines Group, shared insights into the airline’s ambitious vision during a statement to state-run media on Monday evening.
‘We have already finalised binding agreements with Boeing and Airbus for the purchase of 70 aircraft. Additionally, we have secured a general agreement to acquire 54 more airplanes,’ Tasew revealed, shedding light on the scale of the procurement plans.
The CEO remained tight-lipped about specific delivery schedules for the ordered aircraft, underscoring the magnitude of the strategic move and its implications for the airline’s future growth trajectory.
In addition to bolstering its fleet, Ethiopian Airlines is gearing up for a transformative project—the construction of a new mega airport. Tasew articulated the grand vision, stating, ‘The new airport will have the capacity to accommodate up to 100 million passengers annually, marking a substantial increase from our current capacity at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport.’
Ethiopian Airlines, founded in 1946, has emerged as a dominant force in the African aviation landscape, boasting a comprehensive network of over 150 domestic and international passenger and cargo destinations across five continents.
‘Our goal is to elevate Ethiopian Airlines to even greater heights,’ Tasew emphasised, outlining the airline’s ambitious plans to expand its fleet from the current 140 aircraft to an impressive total of 271 by the year 2035.
The unveiling of Ethiopian Airlines’ strategic initiatives underscores its commitment to driving growth and innovation in the aviation sector. As the airline charts a course towards achieving its ambitious objectives, it is poised to reinforce its position as a global aviation leader, catalysing socio-economic development and connectivity across Africa and beyond.