Ethiopian Airlines, Africa’s largest carrier, will soon purchase 11 additional 737 MAX jets from Boeing. The order for 11 B737-8s, signed at the Dubai Airshow on Monday, is intended for Ethiopian Airlines to expand its regional and international networks and grow its Addis Ababa hub.

“We are thrilled to be announcing our agreement with Boeing for an additional 11 B737-8 airplanes today during the Dubai Airshow,” said Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO, Mesfin Tasew. 

“The order will support our growth plans that we have set as part of our vision and strategy. We are happy that our partnership with Boeing continues to grow over the years, and we look forward to flying Boeing airplanes for years to come, and we will continue to serve our customers by bringing them high-performance airplanes with passenger comfort,” he said.

Ethiopian Airlines leverages the reliability, efficiency, and range of its 737 MAX fleet on routes across Africa, the Middle East, India, and Southern Europe, where quick turnarounds and frequency are essential to meet passenger demand. 

“Ethiopian Airlines’ commitment to expand its 737 MAX fleet underscores its leadership in Africa. Our new agreement also strengthens our nearly 80-year partnership with the airline and region,” said Brad McMullen, Boeing’s senior vice president of commercial sales and marketing.

“We are proud that our efficient and versatile airplanes will continue to play a pivotal role in Ethiopian Airlines’ growth as they further connect the African continent and the world,” he said. 

Ethiopian Airlines operates the largest Boeing airplane fleet in Africa and has the most considerable backlog of 737 MAXs, 777X, and 787 Dreamliner airplanes on the continent. 

A leading global aerospace company and top US exporter, Boeing develops, manufactures, and services commercial airplanes, defence products, and space systems for customers in more than 150 countries. 

Ethiopian Airlines operates flights to more than 160 domestic and international passenger and cargo destinations across five continents, utilising modern aircraft such as Boeing 737s, 777s, 787s, Airbus A350-900s, A350-1000s, and De Havilland Q400s. 

Embracing a Pan-African spirit, Ethiopian Airlines is actively pursuing a multi-hub strategy through hubs in Lomé, Togo, with ASKY, in Lilongwe, Malawi, with Malawi Airlines, in Lusaka, Zambia, with Zambia Airways, and in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), with Air Congo.