AerCap Signs Lease Agreements with Ethiopian Airlines for two Boeing 777-300ERSF Freighters
- Joe Breitfeller

- 6 hours ago
- 2 min read
AerCap has today announced the signing of lease agreements with Ethiopian Airlines for two Boeing 777-ERSF passenger-to-cargo converted freighters. These aircraft will be the first of their type to operate in Africa and are scheduled for delivery in Q2 2028.

On Tuesday (March 24, 2026), AerCap Holdings N.V. announced the signing of lease agreements with Ethiopian Airlines for two Boeing 777-300ERSF converted freighters. The aircraft, also known as ‘The Big Twin,’ will be the first of its type to operate in Africa, and deliveries are scheduled for the second quarter of 2028.
Ethiopian Airlines Group operates flights to over 160 domestic and international passenger, and cargo destinations across five continents, bridging the gaps between Africa and the world. With an emphasis on passenger comfort and environmental sustainability, Ethiopian utilizes ultra-modern aircraft such as Boeing 737s, 777s, 787s, Airbus A350-900, A350-1000 and De Havilland Sash 8-400s
In Tuesday’s announcement, AerCap’s CEO, Aengus Kelly, said,
“We are delighted to deepen our long-standing partnership with Ethiopian Airlines – the first customer to operate this aircraft type in Africa - through this important transaction. With 25% more capacity than today's smaller twin-engine long-haul freighters, the 777-300ERSF delivers significant cost efficiencies and will position Ethiopian Airlines to further expand its growing cargo platform. We are proud to support Ethiopian Airlines and wish them continued success as they scale and strengthen their operations.”
Also commenting on the new lease agreements, Ethiopian Airlines Group’s CEO, Mesfin Tasew, said,
“We are delighted to partner with AerCap to bring the first Boeing 777-300ERSF to Africa. These aircraft will significantly enhance our cargo capacity and efficiency, boosting trade in the region. As demand for air freight continues to grow, Ethiopian Airlines remains committed to investing in modern, sustainable solutions that cement our position in the global cargo market."
AerCap Holdings N.V. (NYSE: AER) is the global leader in aircraft leasing and maintains one of the most attractive order books in the industry. The company serves around 300 customers in 80 countries with comprehensive fleet solutions. AerCap is headquartered in Dublin and maintains offices in Shannon, Miami, Memphis, Singapore, Amsterdam, Shanghai, Dubai, Seattle, Toulouse, and other locations around the world.
Source(s): Airbus, AerCap / PRNewswire


