Expanding A High-Flying Legacy With Next-Gen Engine Technology For Sustainable, World-Class Service
Ethiopian Airlines, Africa’s aviation trailblazer, has once again demonstrated its unmatched commitment to innovation, efficiency, and sustainability by signing groundbreaking agreements with GE Aerospace. Announced on May 17, 2025, in Addis Ababa, this strategic move sees Ethiopian selecting GEnx-1B engines to power 11 brand-new Boeing 787-9 aircraft, while reaffirming its order for GE9X engines to power eight Boeing 777-9 jets, with options for six more.
This major investment catapults Ethiopian’s GEnx-powered fleet from 19 to an impressive 30 aircraft, reinforcing the airline’s position at the forefront of modern aviation. It’s a clear signal of Ethiopian’s long-standing philosophy: to lead by example in excellence, technology, and environmental stewardship.
“Our partnership with GE Aerospace has been instrumental in enabling us to deliver world-class service to our passengers as Africa’s leading airline,” said Mr. Mesfin Tasew, Group CEO of Ethiopian Airlines.
But the collaboration goes beyond engine orders. The deals also include a robust service agreement covering maintenance, repair, and overhaul, ensuring these engines will deliver consistent performance while maximizing uptime and efficiency across Ethiopian’s expanding fleet.
Why GEnx and GE9X? Cutting-Edge Tech for a Greener Tomorrow
The GE9X engine, exclusive to the Boeing 777X family, holds the title of the most powerful and fuel-efficient commercial aircraft engine in its class. With 10% better specific fuel consumption than its predecessor, and certified to operate on Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) blends, it’s a smart choice for a future-focused carrier.
Likewise, the GEnx engine, GE Aerospace’s fastest-selling high-thrust engine, has already amassed over 62 million flight hours. Powering two-thirds of all 787s in operation today, it combines reliability with sustainability, supporting Ethiopian’s environmental objectives and operational resilience.
A Legacy of Partnership and Vision
This announcement is more than a business deal, it’s a reaffirmation of a decades-long partnership between Ethiopian Airlines and GE Aerospace that began in 2003. Together, the two global leaders are pushing the boundaries of air travel across Africa and beyond.
“We are honored to deepen our collaboration with Ethiopian Airlines…while advancing the future of sustainable aviation,” said Russell Stokes, President and CEO of GE Aerospace, Commercial Engines and Services.
Taking African Aviation to Greater Heights
As a Star Alliance member and holder of numerous prestigious awards, including Skytrax’s Best Airline in Africa for seven years running, Ethiopian Airlines continues to set benchmarks in service, network growth, and sustainability. With operations spanning 160+ destinations across five continents, Ethiopian not only connects Africa to the world, it defines what African excellence looks like in the skies.
Backed by its Vision 2035 strategy, a robust multi-hub approach, and world-class partners like GE Aerospace, Ethiopian Airlines is not just flying, it’s soaring into the future.
For further Enquiries or Bookings Contact:
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Ethiopian Airlines Group (Ethiopian) is the fastest-growing airlines brand globally and the continent’s largest airline brand. In its seventy-seven years of successful operations, Ethiopian, the fastest growing airline, has become one of the continent’s leading carriers, unrivalled in efficiency and operational success. In addition to its main hub in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, it is also pursuing its multi-hub strategy through a hub in Lomé, Togo with ASKY, in Lilongwe, Malawi with Malawi Airlines and in Lusaka, Zambia with Zambia Airways. Ethiopian commands the lion’s share of the African passenger and cargo network operating the youngest and most modern fleet to more than 150 domestic and international passenger and cargo destinations across five continents. Ethiopian’s fleet category consists of ultra-modern and environmentally friendly aircraft such as Boeing 737s, 777s, 787s, Airbus A350-900 and Bombardier Dash 8-400 double cabin with an average fleet age of seven years. In fact, Ethiopian is the first airline in Africa to own and operate most of these aircraft. Having achieved its strategic plan (Vision 2025) ahead of time, Ethiopian is currently implementing a 15-year strategic plan called Vision 2035 that will see it become one of the top 20 most competitive and leading aviation groups in the world by providing safe, secured, market driven and customer focused Passenger and Cargo Transport and Logistics, Aviation Training, Airport Management and Ground Services, MRO and Aerospace Manufacturing and Travel and Tourism Services. As a multi-award-winning airline, Ethiopian has been the champion in various coveted awards including Skytrax’s ‘Best Airline in Africa Award’ for six consecutive years among others. The airline has been a Star Alliance member since 2011 and has been registering more than threefold growth in the past 10 years. For more at: www.ethiopianairlines.com
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