Ethiopian Airlines, AerCap sign lease agreement for 2 Boeing 777-300 freighters

Ethiopian Airlines has signed lease agreements with AerCap Holdings N.V. for two Boeing 777-300ERSF converted freighters.

The aircraft, also known as “The Big Twin,” will be the first of its type to operate in Africa, with the deliveries scheduled for Q2 2028.

Commenting on the lease agreements,
Mesfin Tasew, Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO said, “We are delighted to partner with AerCap to bring the first Boeing 777-300ERSF to Africa.

These aircraft will significantly enhance our cargo capacity and efficiency, boosting trade in the region.

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As demand for air freight continues to grow, Ethiopian Airlines remains committed to investing in modern, sustainable solutions that cement our position in the global cargo market.”

“We are delighted to deepen our long-
standing partnership with Ethiopian Airlines – the first customer to operate this aircraft type in Africa – through this important transaction,” said Aengus Kelly, Chief Executive Officer of AerCap.

“With 25 percent more capacity than today’s smaller twin-engine long-haul freighters, the 777-300ERSF delivers significant cost efficiencies and will position Ethiopian Airlines to further expand its growing cargo platform. We are proud to support Ethiopian Airlines and wish them continued success as they scale and strengthen their operations.”

Ifeoma Okeke-Korieocha

Ifeoma Okeke-Korieocha is the Aviation Correspondent at BusinessDay Media Limited, publishers of BusinessDay Newspapers. She is also the Deputy Editor, BusinessDay Weekender Magazine, the Saturday Weekend edition of BusinessDay. She holds a BSC in Mass Communication from the prestigious University of Nigeria, Nsukka and a Masters degree in Marketing at the University of Lagos. As the lead writer on the aviation desk, Ifeoma is responsible and in charge of the three weekly aviation and travel pages in BusinessDay and BDSunday. She also overseas and edits all pages of BusinessDay Saturday Weekender. She has written various investigative, features and news stories in aviation and business related issues and has been severally nominated for award in the category of Aviation Writer of the Year by the Nigeria Media Nite-Out awards; one of the Nigeria’s most prestigious media awards ceremonies. Ifeoma is a one-time winner of the prestigious Nigeria Media Merit Award under the 'Aviation Writer of the Year' Category. She is the 2025 Eloy Award winner under the Print Media Journalist category. She has undergone several journalism trainings by various prestigious organisations. Ifeoma is also a fellow of the Female Reporters Leadership Fellowship of the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism.