Ethiopian Airlines Converts Six Boeing 787 Dreamliner Options to Firm Orders

Boeing has announced that Ethiopian Airlines has placed an incremental firm order for six 787-9 Dreamliners by converting six previously agreed upon options.  The additional aircraft will facilitate Ethiopian’s international expansion.

Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner Rendering - Courtesy Boeing

On Monday (April 20, 2026), Boeing announced that Ethiopian Airlines has placed a firm order for six Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, fully exercising options from their landmark 2023 order.  The carrier will use the additional 787-9 jets to expand their intercontinental network from Addis Ababa, while increasing cargo capacity as demand for long-haul travel continues to rise.  Ethiopian Airlines operates Africa's largest 787 Dreamliner fleet, flying their 787-8 and 787-9 jets on intercontinental routes from Addis Ababa to high-demand destinations across Europe, Asia and North America, as well as on key intra-African routes.

In Monday’s announcement, Ethiopian Airlines Group’s CEO, Mr. Mesfin Tasew, said,

“Converting the options of six Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner airplanes into a firm order is truly a proud moment for us.  The order shows Ethiopian Airlines' sustainable growth and preparation for further achievements.  By growing our fleet size with ultra-modern airplanes such as the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, we are further maintaining operational excellence and passengers' comfort.”

Also commenting on Ethiopian Airlines’ incremental 787-9 firm order, Boeing’s VP of Commercial Sales and Marketing – Africa, Anbessie Yitbarek, said,

“We’re proud that Ethiopian Airlines continues to look to the 787 Dreamliner to serve as the backbone of their fleet as they grow and modernize their operations, open new routes and comfortably serve more passengers.”

Pictured from left to right at a signing ceremony at Boeing's office in Arlington, Va.: Anbessie Yitbarek, Vice President of Commercial Sales and Marketing for Africa, Boeing; Ato Mesfin Tasew, Group Chief Executive Officer of Ethiopian Airlines; Mr. Hiro Rodriguez, Executive Director of the Advocacy Center at the U.S. Department of Commerce; Ms. Sarah Whitten, Chief Commercial Officer and Head of Origination at the U.S. Export-Import Bank; Ms. Sarah Troutman, U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State; H.E. Ahmed Shide, Minister of Finance of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia; H.E. Binalf Andualem, Ambassador of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia to the U.S.; Teklewold Atnafu, Advisor to the Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia; Mr. Temesgen Getaye, Treasurer of Ethiopian Airlines; Mr. Abraham Tesfaye, Director of Infrastructure Planning and Development, Ethiopian Airlines. – Courtesy Boeing

Founded in 1945, Ethiopian Airlines is the fastest growing airline in Africa.  The carrier commands the largest share of Pan-African passenger and cargo service markets and operates one of the youngest and most modern fleets in the world.  In addition to their main hub in Addis Ababa, the carrier is also pursuing a multi-hub strategy through a hub in Lomé (Togo) with ASKY, in Lilongwe (Malawi) with Malawi Airlines, and in Lusaka (Zambia) with Zambia Airways.  Ethiopian serves over 145 destinations across five continents with a fleet of over 170 ultra-modern and fuel-efficient aircraft, including Boeing 737s, 787-8/9 Dreamliners, 777-300ERs, 777-200LRs, 777-200 Freighters, Airbus A350-900s, A350-1000s, and De Havilland Canada Dash 8-400s.

Source(s): Boeing / Ethiopian Airlines