Ethiopian Airlines Plans Major Expansion of Regional Fleet
Mesfin Tasew Bekele outlines Ethiopian Airlines' plans to strengthen its network with regional aircraft amid fierce competition in the intra-African market.
Ethiopian Airlines is preparing a significant expansion of its regional fleet. The airline's CEO, Mesfin Tasew Bekele, told Reuters news agency that the company intends to place an order for between 20 and 30 aircraft, each with a capacity of around 100 passengers. This strategic initiative aims both to grow its regional route network and to replace older aircraft currently in service.
For this fleet renewal and expansion, Ethiopian Airlines is currently evaluating three next-generation aircraft families: Embraer’s E2 family, the Airbus A220, and the Boeing 737 MAX 7. Bekele explained that the final decision on the specific aircraft type and the exact size of the order will depend on the ongoing technical and economic assessment of these models. All three candidates offer seating capacities within the desired range and feature modern technologies—key factors for maintaining an efficient and competitive regional fleet.
The airline’s move is in response to rising demand for air travel across the African continent and aims to strengthen its Addis Ababa hub as a leading regional gateway.
Regional Fleet Contenders for Ethiopian Airlines
The Brazilian-made Embraer E2 family includes two main variants suited to the airline’s needs: the E190-E2 and the E195-E2. These aircraft typically seat between 97 and 146 passengers in a single-class configuration and are well-regarded for their fuel efficiency and comfort on short- to medium-haul routes.
The Airbus A220, available in A220-100 and A220-300 variants, offers seating for between 100 and 160 passengers depending on interior layout. Originally developed by Bombardier as the CSeries, the A220 is known for its advanced aerodynamics and new-generation engines, contributing to lower operating costs and reduced environmental impact.
Finally, the Boeing 737 MAX 7 is the smallest variant in the updated 737 MAX family. It can typically carry between 138 and 153 passengers in a two-class layout. The 737 MAX series is recognized for its improved operational efficiency and enhancements over previous generations of Boeing 737s.
Growth and Challenges in Today’s Aviation Landscape
Ethiopian Airlines’ fleet modernization plans come at a time of strong travel demand for the carrier. However, like many airlines worldwide, Ethiopian is dealing with delays in aircraft deliveries and limited aircraft availability due to engine shortages, a result of global supply chain disruptions.
CEO Bekele noted that the airline is receiving aircraft from both Boeing and Airbus but is experiencing delays ranging from three to six months—or even longer. Currently, Ethiopian Airlines has three Boeing 787 wide-body aircraft grounded due to a lack of Rolls-Royce engines, along with five turboprops that are out of service because of a shortage of Pratt & Whitney engines, manufactured by RTX. Bekele stated that engine repairs and returns now take significantly longer than the usual three months, sometimes extending to six months or more.
In addition to new orders, Ethiopian Airlines is in talks with leasing companies to bring in additional aircraft in the short term, helping to ease current capacity constraints. As such, the planned order for regional jets marks an important step in boosting operational flexibility and supporting the continued growth of its vast route network. Choosing the right aircraft will enable the airline to optimize its regional operations in a dynamic and increasingly competitive market.
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