Ethiopian Airlines orders eight 777-8F and two 777F freighters

A firm order, and an option for eight more

Boeing and Ethiopian Airlines announced the order on 30 September 2026. It covers eight 777-8F freighters and two 777F freighters, with an option for eight more 777-8Fs. The Eastleigh Voice put the catalogue value at $5 billion; neither company disclosed the negotiated price.

Ethiopian is the first African carrier to order the 777-8F, according to the joint announcement. The order is its second from the 777X family, after eight 777-9 passenger jets, and doubles its 777X order book, Boeing said. Brad McMullen, Boeing's senior vice president of commercial sales and marketing, said the order highlighted "growing demand for air cargo worldwide".

AeroTime reported that Mesfin Tasew, the airline's group chief executive, and McMullen signed the agreement on 20 September 2026 at a ceremony attended by the US ambassador to Ethiopia, Ervin Massinga.

Two industry sources had told Reuters earlier in September that the state-owned airline was nearing an order for up to 10 long-haul Boeing freighters.

What the order adds to the cargo fleet

Ethiopian Airlines flies 12 777Fs, two 767 freighters and four 737-800SFs, according to Boeing's announcement.

Its cargo network serves more than 70 markets across Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East and North America. Its total fleet exceeds 140 aircraft, the Eastleigh Voice reported.

The 777-8F has a maximum structural payload of 118 tonnes. Boeing says it will be the world's largest and most capable twin-engine freighter, with about 30% better fuel efficiency and 25% lower operating costs per tonne than the aircraft it replaces. Mesfin Tasew said the freighters would give the airline "greater payload capacity, operational flexibility, efficiency, and sustainability".

Ethiopia is landlocked, and high-value exports such as flowers, coffee and pharmaceuticals travel by air.

Ethiopian Airlines has been expanding its cargo business, treating air freight as a high-margin segment that complements passenger operations.

Why the order splits between two models

Delivery timing explains the split. According to local media cited by AeroTime, the two 777Fs arrive between 2027 and 2028, while the 777-8Fs follow between 2033 and 2035. The 777-8F is not expected to enter service until around 2029.

The two 777Fs help Boeing bridge the gap to the delayed 777-8F, the industry sources told Reuters. AeroTime reported that the FAA granted Boeing an exemption from fuel-efficiency rules that start in 2028, allowing it to obtain first certificates of airworthiness for up to 35 newly built 777Fs issued between 1 January 2028 and 1 January 2031. Boeing petitioned for the waiver in December 2025, arguing the 777F would no longer be eligible to fly after 31 December 2027.

The 777-8F is the freighter variant of the 777X programme and is intended to complement the existing 777F, retaining common cross-sections and walkways so cargo can be carried the same way on both.

What happens next

The option for eight more 777-8Fs is not a commitment, and Ethiopian Airlines has not said whether it will exercise it.

The airline says the aircraft will expand capacity on long-haul routes to Europe, Asia, the Middle East and the Americas, without naming specific city pairs.