Ethiopian Airlines and Boeing have announced an order for four Boeing 777 Freighters – the world’s largest and longest-range twin-engine cargo jet – in a deal valued at more than $1.3 billion at list prices.
The deal includes a new order for two freighters. It also includes two freighters the airline announced as a commitment in June that finalized into a firm order and posted on Boeing’s Orders & Deliveries website this month.
In a statement on its website, the CEO of Ethiopian Airlines Tewolde Gebre Mariam says the order will provide Ethiopian’s Cargo & Logistics business with enhanced cargo capacity and better operating economics as they continue to build one of the largest cargo terminals in the world.
With nearly 100 airplanes in operation, Ethiopian flies one of the largest and youngest fleets in Africa, including Boeing 737s, 757s, 767s, 777s, and 787s. The 777 Freighter has no competitor in its class when it comes to low operating costs, long range, and capacity to carry cargo.The 777 Freighter is based on the 777-200LR (Longer Range) passenger jet and can fly 4,900 nautical miles (9,070 kilometers) with a full payload of 112 tons (102 metric tonnes or 102,000 kg).
Ethiopian Cargo is the largest network cargo operator in Africa with six 777 and two 757 Freighters serving 39 cargo destinations in Africa, the Middle East, Asia and Europe. Ethiopian Cargo opened a state-of-the-art cargo terminal in June 2017 that gives the carrier an annual capacity of one million tons.
Related; Ethiopian Airlines Becomes First African airline to acquire & operate Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner
