Ethiopian Airlines converts remaining 787 options from its 2023 Dubai Air Show order

Ethiopian Airlines signing the contract for the conversion of six order options from an original Dubai 2023 air show order of up to 67 aircraft with Boeing officials

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Alex Achille

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Ethiopian Airlines is the true leading force in African aviation. That is once again confirmed by its actions in ordering aircraft. It has just announced that it is converting the last of six Boeing 787 Dreamliner order options into firm orders.

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Ethiopian Airlines converts last order options from Dubai Air Show 2023 order

Back in 2023 at the Dubai Air Show, Ethiopian Airlines had placed a landmark order which included up to 67 Boeing planes.

Back then, the agreement was for 31 firm orders, and options for 36 more aircraft. The order included both Boeing 737 MAX and 787 Dreamliners.

Specifically looking at the Dreamliners, which are the aircraft involved in this latest update, Ethiopian Airlines had ordered 11 with options for 15 more.

Today, jointly with Boeing, the Ethiopian national carrier has announced that it is converting the last six aircraft order options that it still had in hand into firm orders.

Therefore, all 67 aircraft announced at the Dubai 2023 air show have been effectively ordered and/or taken delivery of by Ethiopian Airlines.

The variant of the 787 that Ethiopian Airlines has ordered is the 787-9. Those aircraft are an important part of the airline’s wide-body and long-haul fleet and come in a two-class configuration with business class in the most updated version, featuring a 1-2-1 layout.

Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 787 Dreamliner taxiing on the runway. The airline has now converted all of its prior order options with Boeing which it still had in hand after the Dubai Air Show 2023 order.
Ethiopian Airlines completes the conversion of all order options it had in hand after the Dubai Air Show 2023 order of up to 67 aircraft, which included Boeing 737 MAX and Boeing 787 planes.

The airline continues to invest in the 787

The conversion of these six order options into firm orders reaffirms the commitment by Ethiopian Airlines in the 787 program.

The airline was one of the first adopters of the aircraft type, notoriously taking delivery of some of the most problematic first models of the aircraft. Aircraft that have become known as the “terrible teens” in the 787 program.

Those were planes that had the worst fuel efficiency compared to what the manufacturer declared, due to the higher weight they came as a result of manufacturing issues.

Nonetheless, Ethiopian Airlines has continued to invest heavily in the 787, making it one of the most important aircraft in its fleet, connecting long-haul destinations to Addis Ababa.

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Alex Achille

Ex Emirates Cabin Crew and long time aviation enthusiast. I can remember loving aviation and planes since I was a very little boy. I have developed my passion into a deep knowledge of the sector and industry to offer on my sites in depth and precise analyses of what is going on. I also completed cabin crew training with Ryanair, however, I never worked for the company (more on that another time). Finally I also have taken flying lessons completing my first solo flights.