Ethiopian Airlines has announced it has launched a tender for the purchase of 25 single-aisle aircraft.
According to Bloomberg, which broke the news, several models are considered frontrunners to join the fleet of Africa’s largest airline, allowing it to strengthen its domestic and regional flight schedule. These include the Boeing 737-7 & 737-8, the Airbus A220, and the Embraer E2.
According to Lemma Yadecha, Chief Commercial Officer of Ethiopian Airlines: “A contract could be finalized in the coming days.”
A220, the frontrunner:
From Airbus’s perspective, the A220 is logically the most likely candidate. The single-aisle aircraft which can accommodate between 100 and 150 passengers, is ideal for short and medium-haul routes, thanks to its ability to serve low-traffic routes while minimizing fuel costs.
The 737 has already proven itself:
The Ethiopian Airlines fleet already includes a significant number of 737 NG and MAX aircraft, and according to commitments made by Ethiopian Airlines, the number of 737s in its fleet could reach 50 by 2030.
Embraer aims to secure a place in the Ethiopian Airlines fleet:
As for Embraer, the Brazilian manufacturer is seeking to gain a foothold in the market with its E2 family, available in E190-E2 and E195-E2 models. Mesfin Tasew, CEO of the Ethiopian Airlines Group, had already acknowledged that these models were among the options being considered to strengthen his airline’s regional fleet.
A major reinforcement plan for the Cargo business:
In the same context, Ethiopian Airlines is close to finalizing a new contract for the purchase of 16 aircraft dedicated to its cargo operations. This announcement follows the recent signing by the African airline giant of a memorandum of understanding for the acquisition of several Boeing 777-8 Freighters, allowing it to further consolidate the expansion of its network and cargo business.