Ethiopian Airlines (ET, Addis Ababa International) has signed an agreement with Boeing covering ten new B777 freighters, comprising eight B777-8Fs and two B777Fs, with an option to acquire eight additional B777-8Fs, according to reports by Reuters and Ethiopia Today.

This makes Ethiopian Airlines the first African carrier to order the B777-8F, according to Brad McMullen, Boeing's senior VP for commercial sales and marketing.

Group CEO Mesfin Tasew said the eight B777-8Fs are scheduled for delivery between 2033 and 2035, while the two additional B777Fs are due in 2027 and 2028. The airline also plans to convert four existing passenger aircraft into freighters.

It was not immediately clear whether the agreement is a firm order or a letter of intent. ch-aviation has contacted Ethiopian Airlines for more clarity.

Ethiopian Airlines' cargo division already operates twelve B777-200Fs, alongside two B767-300Fs, one B767-300ER(BDSF), and four converted B737 freighters (one B737-800(BCF) and three B737-800(SF)s) and a passenger fleet of 138 aircraft, according to ch-aviation data.

Mesfin said cargo operations account for about 23% of Ethiopian Airlines' total revenue, supporting continued investment in its freighter fleet and cargo infrastructure.