This order seemingly got here out of nowhere…
Ethiopian Airways orders as much as 20 Boeing 777-9s
Ethiopian Airways has simply positioned an order for as much as 20 Boeing 777-9 plane, together with eight agency orders plus 12 choices. For these not conversant in the 777-9, that is a part of Boeing’s 777X household, which is the service’s up to date model of the 777.
The Boeing 777-9 can be bigger, extra gasoline environment friendly, and longer vary, than current variants of the 777. The catch is that the jet hasn’t but been licensed — it was initially supposed to start out flying as of 2020, however entry into service has now been delayed into 2025. That’s very a lot a greatest case state of affairs timeline in the mean time, given the elevated scrutiny that Boeing is getting from regulators.
It’s not stunning that there’s no point out of a timeline for these plane being delivered. I think about Ethiopian Airways not solely received a fantastic deal on these plane, however received some fairly versatile phrases, provided that the airline is actually ordering one thing that gives little certainty. At this level, Boeing can’t even fake to know when these planes can be accredited to fly.
Ethiopian Airways is the primary African airline to order the Boeing 777X. On high of that, that is the primary “recent” 777X order that we’ve seen in a few years. Emirates lately topped up its 777X order, and the airline now has 205 of those plane on order. Emirates ultimately intends to make use of the 777X to switch the Airbus A380, as soon as these jets are retired.
Ethiopian Airways’ various fleet renewal technique
Ethiopian Airways has traditionally had a reasonably inconsistent fleet, by way of each plane variants and plane interiors. That’s largely as a result of the airline has grown so shortly, so a big a part of that development technique concerned buying secondhand plane from different airways.
The airline has made loads of progress in modernizing its fleet, however nonetheless doesn’t have a lot in the way in which of fleet consistency. The airline presently flies the Airbus A350-900 and Boeing 787-8, 787-9, 777-200LR, and 777-300ER.
The airline additionally lately positioned a serious plane order, choosing up extra Boeing 787-9s, in addition to Airbus A350-900s and A350-1000s.
I perceive that Ethiopian Airways in all probability intends to make use of the 777-9s to ultimately exchange the 777-200LRs and 777-300ERs. Nevertheless, you’d assume the airline might have taken the chance to simplify its fleet, and focus both on the A350-1000 or 777-9.
In the long term, Ethiopian will in all probability have 5 trendy extensive physique jets — the A350-900, A350-1000, 787-8, 787-9, and 777-9. That’s loads of selection!
Backside line
Ethiopian Airways has positioned an order for as much as 20 Boeing 777-9s, together with eight agency orders and 12 choices. It is a main improvement, as Ethiopian is the primary new 777X buyer that we’ve seen in a few years. It’s anybody’s guess if/when these planes truly get delivered, given Boeing’s points with getting this aircraft licensed.
It’s cool to see the tempo at which Ethiopian is refreshing its fleet, although I’m a bit puzzled by the service’s lack of want for fleet commonality.
What do you make of Ethiopian Airways’ Boeing 777X order?
