Africa’s Biggest Airline Adds 6 Dreamliners as It Builds Mega Airport Project

Ethiopian Airlines is pushing ahead with an ambitious expansion plan that could reshape aviation across Africa.

The continent’s largest airline has ordered six more Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner jets while advancing plans for a massive new airport in Ethiopia designed to handle rising passenger traffic and support global growth.

The new aircraft order increases Ethiopian Airlines’ total commitment for Boeing 787 Dreamliners to 26. Deliveries are expected to begin in 2028, giving the carrier more room to expand long-haul operations across Africa, the United States, Europe, and Asia.

Bigger Fleet, Wider Reach

The airline says the additional aircraft will help it strengthen busy existing routes and launch destinations it could not previously serve because of limited aircraft availability.

One of those potential routes is Australia, a market the airline has openly identified as a future target.

The Dreamliner is widely used for long-distance travel because of its fuel efficiency, passenger comfort, and ability to operate long routes more economically than older aircraft.

For Ethiopian Airlines, adding more wide-body jets strengthens its position as Africa’s leading global connector.

Mega Airport Under Construction

Beyond aircraft purchases, the airline is also investing heavily on the ground.

A new $12.5 billion airport is being developed in Bishoftu, around 45 kilometres from Addis Ababa.

Once completed, the project is expected to become Africa’s largest airport, with four runways and capacity for 60 million passengers annually.

That would place it among the world’s major aviation hubs and far above the current capacity of Ethiopia’s main airport in Addis Ababa.

The airline has said it wants the new facility to rival major transit hubs such as Dubai and Istanbul.

Backed by Major Funding

The airport project has already attracted strong financial backing. African Development Bank has committed funding and is helping mobilise additional financing for the project.

Construction reportedly began earlier this year as passenger growth continues to put pressure on existing airport capacity.

Why you should know

Ethiopian Airlines has built one of Africa’s most successful aviation brands through steady expansion, fleet modernisation, and strategic route planning.

This latest move shows it is thinking even bigger.

More aircraft means more global routes. A larger airport means more transit traffic, tourism, cargo movement, and economic activity.

At a time when many African carriers still struggle with scale, Ethiopian Airlines is betting on growth.