Latest news with #MesfinTasewBekele
Arabian Post
3 days ago
- Business
- Arabian Post
Ethiopian Airlines Eyes Fleet Expansion with Regional Jet Acquisition
Ethiopian Airlines is evaluating the procurement of 20 to 30 regional or small narrowbody jets to enhance its domestic operations and replace ageing aircraft, according to Chief Executive Officer Mesfin Tasew Bekele. The airline is considering three aircraft models: Embraer's E-2 series, Airbus's A220, and Boeing's 737 MAX 7. The final number of aircraft to be ordered will depend on the selected model. The 737 MAX 7, which offers a larger seating capacity, is still awaiting certification, posing a potential challenge to its selection. The A220 and E-2 series are already in service with other carriers, providing a more immediate deployment option. Ethiopian Airlines, Africa's largest carrier, is experiencing robust travel demand. However, it faces challenges due to delayed aircraft deliveries and engine shortages. The airline has three Boeing 787s grounded because of a lack of Rolls-Royce engines and five turboprop aircraft grounded due to a shortage of Pratt & Whitney engines. Maintenance delays have extended engine turnaround times from the typical three months to six months or more.
Business Insider
4 days ago
- Business
- Business Insider
Ethiopian Airlines plans major fleet upgrade with order for 20 regional jets
Ethiopian Airlines, Africa's largest and most profitable carrier, is set to purchase at least 20 regional or small narrowbody planes as part of its strategy to grow its domestic fleet and retire aged aircraft. Ethiopian Airlines plans to expand its domestic fleet with at least 20 regional or small narrowbody planes. The airline is currently evaluating aircraft models including Airbus A220, Embraer E-2, and Boeing 737 MAX 7. Challenges such as aircraft delivery delays and engine shortages are affecting operations despite increased demand. The Addis Abeba-based airline is presently testing multiple models, including the Airbus A220, Embraer E-2, and Boeing's yet-to-be-approved 737 MAX 7. While the Boeing 737 MAX 7, one of the contenders for the new regional order, has a larger seating capacity, its certification has yet to be finalized. The actual number of aircraft bought will depend on the type chosen, according to a report seen on Reuters. This strategic move comes as Ethiopian Airlines is witnessing an increase in travel demand while struggling to achieve capacity owing to aircraft delivery delays and ongoing global supply chain problems. Several planes have also been grounded owing to engine shortages, placing pressure on operations even as passenger and cargo numbers increase steadily. "We are receiving airplanes from both Boeing and Airbus, but deliveries have been delayed, some by three months, some six months, some more," CEO Mesfin Tasew Bekele said on the sidelines of an annual IATA meeting of global airline leaders. Boeing delays and forced leasing The Ethiopian Airlines fleet is primarily dominated by Boeing models, however, delays from the United States aircraft manufacturer have created substantial operating issues. In April 2024, Ethiopian Airlines noted that it is waiting for 737 MAX jets and 777 freighters. Due to the continued delays, the airline decided to lease aircraft in August 2024 to sustain its growth trajectory. The supply delays came despite a substantial order announced by Ethiopian Airlines in 2023 to buy 11 Boeing 787 Dreamliners and 20 Boeing 737 MAX planes as part of a long-term fleet upgrade strategy. Infrastructure investments for Ethiopian Airlines The desire for additional planes is consistent with Ethiopian Airlines' overall strategy of expanding its infrastructure and services. In March 2025, the airline struck a historic deal with the African Development Bank to work on a new airport project to meet rising demand in both the passenger and cargo markets. With an anticipated $7.8 billion investment, the airport expects to accommodate 60 million people per year by 2040, more than tripling its existing capacity of 17 million. This investment demonstrates the airline's goal to establish itself as a global aviation center that connects Africa to the rest of the globe. Futhermore, in April 2025, Ethiopian Airlines announced a partnership with Archer Aviation of the United States to create an electric air taxi service in the East African country. The service is intended to use Archer's Midnight aircraft, which is a four-passenger electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) vehicle designed for short-haul urban transport. The program aims to alleviate traffic congestion in East African cities while also lowering carbon emissions, making Ethiopian Airlines one of the first African airlines to aggressively pursue green aviation technologies.
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Business Standard
4 days ago
- Business
- Business Standard
Ethiopian Airlines considering order for 20 regional jets, CEO says
Ethiopian Airlines is looking to order at least 20 regional or small narrowbody jets as it moves to expand its domestic fleet and replace some ageing aircraft, the airline's chief executive told Reuters on Monday. "We are evaluating three aircraft models, the E-2 from Embraer, the A220 from Airbus, and the 737 MAX 7 from Boeing," CEO Mesfin Tasew Bekele said in an interview. The final order quantity will depend on the type chosen, he added. Boeing's 737 MAX 7, which has a larger seating capacity and sits at the bottom of a larger category than the Airbus A220 and Embraer E-2, is yet to be certified. Africa's largest carrier is experiencing strong travel demand but has been constrained by jet delivery delays and the grounding of some aircraft due to engine shortages stemming from supply chain disruptions. "We are receiving airplanes from both Boeing and Airbus, but deliveries have been delayed, some by three months, some six months, some more," Bekele said on the sidelines of an annual IATA meeting of global airline leaders. The company is also in talks with lessors to bring onboard some jets to ease capacity constraints. The airline is among several facing grounded aircraft due to bottlenecks in engine maintenance plants. Ethiopian has three Boeing 787 widebody jets grounded due to a shortage of Rolls-Royce engines, with five turboprop aircraft grounded due to a shortage of RTX's Pratt & Whitney engines. "Normally engines were supposed to be repaired and returned in three months typically, but now it takes six months or even more to get them repaired and returned," Bekele said.
Zawya
4 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Ethiopian Airlines considering order for at least 20 regional jets, CEO says
Ethiopian Airlines is looking to order at least 20 regional or small narrowbody jets as it moves to expand its domestic fleet and replace some ageing aircraft, the airline's chief executive told Reuters on Monday. "We are evaluating three aircraft models, the E-2 from Embraer, the A220 from Airbus, and the 737 MAX 7 from Boeing," CEO Mesfin Tasew Bekele said in an interview. The final order quantity will depend on the type chosen, he added. Boeing's 737 MAX 7, which has a larger seating capacity and sits at the bottom of a larger category than the Airbus A220 and Embraer E-2, is yet to be certified. Africa's largest carrier is experiencing strong travel demand but has been constrained by jet delivery delays and the grounding of some aircraft due to engine shortages stemming from supply chain disruptions. "We are receiving airplanes from both Boeing and Airbus, but deliveries have been delayed, some by three months, some six months, some more," Bekele said on the sidelines of an annual IATA meeting of global airline leaders. The company is also in talks with lessors to bring onboard some jets to ease capacity constraints. The airline is among several facing grounded aircraft due to bottlenecks in engine maintenance plants. Ethiopian has three Boeing 787 widebody jets grounded due to a shortage of Rolls-Royce engines, with five turboprop aircraft grounded due to a shortage of RTX's Pratt & Whitney engines. "Normally engines were supposed to be repaired and returned in three months typically, but now it takes six months or even more to get them repaired and returned," Bekele said. (Reporting by Shivansh Tiwary in New Delhi. Editing by Jamie Freed and Mark Potter)
Reuters
4 days ago
- Business
- Reuters
Ethiopian Airlines considering order for at least 20 regional jets, CEO says
NEW DELHI, June 2 (Reuters) - Ethiopian Airlines is looking to order at least 20 regional or small narrowbody jets as it moves to expand its domestic fleet and replace some ageing aircraft, the airline's chief executive told Reuters on Monday. "We are evaluating three aircraft models, the E-2 from Embraer ( opens new tab, the A220 from Airbus ( opens new tab, and the 737 MAX 7 from Boeing (BA.N), opens new tab," CEO Mesfin Tasew Bekele said in an interview. The final order quantity will depend on the type chosen, he added. Boeing's 737 MAX 7, which has a larger seating capacity and sits at the bottom of a larger category than the Airbus A220 and Embraer E-2, is yet to be certified. Africa's largest carrier is experiencing strong travel demand but has been constrained by jet delivery delays and the grounding of some aircraft due to engine shortages stemming from supply chain disruptions. "We are receiving airplanes from both Boeing and Airbus, but deliveries have been delayed, some by three months, some six months, some more," Bekele said on the sidelines of an annual IATA meeting of global airline leaders. The company is also in talks with lessors to bring onboard some jets to ease capacity constraints. The airline is among several facing grounded aircraft due to bottlenecks in engine maintenance plants. Ethiopian has three Boeing 787 widebody jets grounded due to a shortage of Rolls-Royce (RR.L), opens new tab engines, with five turboprop aircraft grounded due to a shortage of RTX's Pratt & Whitney engines. "Normally engines were supposed to be repaired and returned in three months typically, but now it takes six months or even more to get them repaired and returned," Bekele said.
