In a strategic fleet expansion move, Ethiopian Airlines has confirmed an order for nine Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft, reinforcing their status as the continent's premier customer of Boeing commercial airplanes. The announcement was made public by Boeing Company (NYSE:BA) on Tuesday, ahead of its upcoming quarterly earnings release.
The airline intends to utilize these new 787-9s to broaden its global route network, which currently serves 145 international cities across multiple continents. This latest order supplements a prior contract for 11 Boeing 737 MAX planes that the airline secured during the Dubai Airshow, effectively increasing its total recent Boeing jet orders to 20.
These two contracts, finalized as recently as December 2025, further reinforce Ethiopian Airlines’ commitment to operating a fuel-efficient and technologically advanced fleet. The airline leads the African market not only in terms of the size of its Boeing-operated fleet but also in holding the largest order backlog on the continent for next-generation Boeing models, including the 737 MAX, 777X, and 787 Dreamliner series.
Looking at Boeing’s broader commercial aircraft activity, the company successfully completed deliveries of 160 planes during the fourth quarter alone, culminating in a total of 600 aircraft delivered throughout the entire year. Such delivery volumes indicate sustained production strength amid a competitive landscape.
In parallel with Ethiopian Airlines’ acquisitions, Boeing announced an order for 50 additional 737 MAX jets from Aviation Capital Group LLC, a prominent aircraft leasing firm. Leasing companies have so far accounted for nearly 1,300 orders of the 737 MAX, representing about 20 percent of the model’s total order backlog, reflecting solid market demand from this sector.
Further highlighting demand for Boeing widebody aircraft, Delta Air Lines placed an order for 30 787-10 Dreamliner jets with options to procure 30 more, evidencing regional carriers’ interest in modernizing and expanding their fleets with fuel-efficient widebody types.
Boeing is scheduled to release its fourth-quarter financial results on January 27th, a report that will likely provide deeper insights into its overall manufacturing and order fulfillment operations. The company’s stock price at the time of the announcement was modestly positive, trading just above $247 per share and close to its 52-week peak of $248.74 as per Benzinga Pro data.
Given Ethiopian Airlines’ significant role in the African aviation market and its relationship with Boeing, their latest order not only signifies confidence in Boeing’s product lineup but also underscores African carriers’ ambitions to maintain competitive route networks through modern aircraft technology.
This transaction also exemplifies Boeing's sustained ability to secure large-scale commercial aircraft orders worldwide amidst competitive challenges and ongoing industry dynamics.