Ethiopia

Ethiopian Airlines is planning to place a new order for narrow-body jets in early 2014, in a move to double its aircraft fleet.

Ethiopian Airlines’ chief executive, Tewolde Gebremariam, told Reuters on the sidelines of Star Alliance members meeting in Vienna that the airline aims to double its fleet to 112 jets and carry 18 million passengers over 92 routes by 2025.

"We are looking at whether it is justified to diversify our fleet. If the answer is no, we will continue with the Boeing 737 MAX," Gebremariam said.

The Boeing 737 MAX aircraft is a re-engined variant of the narrow-body jet, designed to compete with Airbus’ A320neo.

The carrier did not disclose the details on the potential size of the proposed order.

"We are looking at whether it is justified to diversify our fleet. If the answer is no, we will continue with the Boeing 737 MAX."

Ethiopian Airlines currently operates an almost all-Boeing fleet that includes that includes next-generation 737s, 757s, 767s, 777s, and 787 Dreamliners and a cargo fleet that includes 757s, an MD11 and 777 Freighters.

It also has 14 A350-900 jets on order from Airbus.

Last month, Boeing delivered Ethiopian Airlines’ first 777-300ER (extended range) aircraft to provide the carrier with additional capacity on key routes.

The 777-300ER is currently the largest aircraft in the airline’s fleet and is providing improved capacity and operating economics on important flights from its base in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa.

Image: Ethiopian Airlines currently operates an almost all-Boeing fleet. Photo: courtesy of The Boeing Company.

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