Ethiopian Airlines to Lease Four Boeing 737 Max Amid Delivery Delays
Ethiopian Airlines is set to lease four Boeing 737 Max aircraft within this fiscal year to fill a significant capacity gap, following delays in the delivery of Boeing 737-8s. The airline’s CEO, Mesfin Tasew Bekele, announced on Bloomberg TV that the leased jets are expected to arrive starting November 2024, though the lessor remains undisclosed.
Bekele expressed concerns over delayed deliveries initially expected in April 2024, including both the 737 Max and 777-Fs, attributing the postponement to ongoing technical issues. “We were supposed to receive the next 737 Max this month, but due to technical problems, the delivery has been pushed back,” said Bekele. The delivery of the 777 freighter has now been rescheduled for the September quarter of 2025.
In an effort to manage these delays, Ethiopian Airlines will also welcome four Airbus A350-1000s between October 2024 and March 2025, part of an extensive order of 124 aircraft from Boeing and Airbus. This order includes 70 firm purchases and 54 options or purchase rights, featuring a diverse range of models such as the A350-900, Boeing 737-8, 777-200Fs, 777-9s, and 787-9s.
Despite these challenges, Bekele reaffirmed the airline’s strong partnership with Boeing and outlined Ethiopian Airlines’ strategic initiatives to expand its network across Africa. Over the next 12 months, the airline plans to establish partnerships with at least two more African countries, possibly involving investments in existing carriers or launching new airlines in collaboration with African governments.
This strategic expansion and adaptation to delivery challenges underscore Ethiopian Airlines’ commitment to strengthening its presence and enhancing connectivity throughout the continent, despite the complexities of global supply chain issues and regional partnership dynamics.
Related news: https://airguide.info/?s=Ethiopian+Airlines
Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, bloomberg.com, Ethiopian Airlines