The airline already operates 9 B777Fs and the order follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding for 5 777-8Fs announced in March.
The 777F has a range of 4,970 nautical miles and a payload of 107 tonnes, and fuel usage and emissions are 17% lower than previous generation aircraft.
Mesfin Tasew, CEO of Ethiopian Airlines Group says, “The addition of these five 777 Freighters into our cargo fleet will enable us to meet the growing demand in our cargo operation. While cementing our partnership with Boeing with new orders, the growth of our freighter fleet takes the capacity and efficiency of our shipment service to the next level.
“We always strive to serve our customers with the latest technology aircraft the aviation industry could offer. Our cargo terminal is Africa's largest, coupled with fuel-efficient freighters and well-trained cargo handling professionals will enable our customers get the best quality shipment service. Customers can rely on Ethiopian for wide-ranging cargo services across five continents.”
Ihssane Mounir, Senior Vice President of Commercial Sales and Marketing at Boeing adds, “Ethiopian Airlines' all-Boeing freighter fleet provides them with unrivalled capability and flexibility as Africa's largest cargo operator. These additional 777 Freighters will enable Ethiopian to capitalise on near-term cargo demand, while positioning the airline for further expansion in the future.”