Ethiopian keen for 777Fs, but supply short

ETHIOPIAN Airlines is in negotiations with Boeing over plans to acquire 777 freighters. Outgoing Ethiopian chief executive officer, Girma Wake, said that demand for the freighter type was so high, however, that it was unlikely the airline would be able to buy the aircraft it needed.

“We may not be able to get the 777 freighter aircraft from Boeing but we can lease from Boeing Capital, but eventually we will buy. It has a huge capacity. We need that to meet the growing cargo business,” Girma said.

Randy Tinseth, vice-president-marketing Boeing Commercial Airplanes, refused to discuss the negotiations.

“Boeing does not disclose business deals, only the customer is entitled to do so,” he said.

Ethiopian currently operates a cargo fleet of two 757-260Fs, two MD11Fs and two 747Fs.