Addis Ababa, Ethiopia — Ethiopian Airlines CEO Mesfin Tasew has expressed concerns over the impact of Boeing’s recent seven-week machinist strike on the carrier’s growth ambitions. The production halt of the 737 MAX and 777 aircraft during the strike has delayed deliveries of key aircraft Ethiopian Airlines has on order, further complicating the airline’s fleet expansion plans.
“Delivery dates of the airplanes that we have ordered from Boeing are still sleeping,” Tasew told AFP, highlighting the frustration caused by prolonged delays.
Boeing Delays Force Temporary Adjustments
Though the strike ended, Boeing faces challenges in resuming production, with estimates suggesting several weeks before operations fully normalize. Ethiopian Airlines had already experienced setbacks with earlier deliveries of the 737 MAX and 777F models. To mitigate the impact, the airline has resorted to leasing 737 MAX aircraft, with four set to join the fleet this month to meet immediate capacity needs.
Despite these hurdles, Ethiopian has maintained its confidence in Boeing, placing significant orders during the Dubai Air Show in November 2023. These include 20 737 MAX 8s, 11 787-9 Dreamliners, and options for additional aircraft.
Expanding with Airbus Amid Challenges
While Boeing struggles, Airbus has proven a reliable partner for Ethiopian Airlines. The European manufacturer recently delivered the first of four A350-1000s, making Ethiopian the first African airline to operate this advanced aircraft. The remaining A350-1000s are expected to arrive by March 2025, bolstering the airline’s fleet and capacity.
Resilience Amid Adversity
Ethiopian Airlines has faced a challenging year with geopolitical conflicts in Israel, the Middle East, and Sudan affecting operations. Despite these difficulties and fleet growth delays, the airline remains on track to meet its end-of-year financial targets.
In FY2024, Ethiopian Airlines generated over $7 billion in revenue, marking a 14% year-on-year increase. The carrier also expanded its network, operating over 20 domestic routes and 140 international destinations, maintaining its position as Africa’s only profitable airline.
Boeing Partnership Persists Despite Past Turmoil
The relationship between Ethiopian Airlines and Boeing has weathered turbulence, including the tragic Flight 302 crash in 2019. While Tasew acknowledges the crash as a “serious scar” in the airline’s history, he reaffirmed trust in Boeing, praising the company as “a great aerospace company.”
Since resuming 737 MAX flights in February 2022, Ethiopian has built a fleet of 17 737 MAX 8s and continues to expand its orderbook with Boeing.
