Ethiopian Airlines nears Boeing cargo plane order, sources say

Ethiopian Airlines is close to a deal to buy up to 10 long-haul Boeing cargo freighters, according to two industry sources cited by Reuters. The prospective order is expected to include two 777F aircraft from Boeing’s current-generation lineup, with the rest likely made up by the delayed 777-8F freighter. One source said the total could range from eight to 10 planes. The shift is tied to Ethiopia’s plan for a new African hub aimed at competing with Gulf carriers. Boeing said it would not comment, while Ethiopian Airlines gave no immediate response. International emissions rules require Boeing to stop building the 777F by end-2027.