The announcement was made by the airline’s Group Chief Executive Officer, Mesfin Tasew Bekele, on the sidelines of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) annual summit held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
According to the airline, the new aircraft will be deployed to strengthen both domestic routes within Ethiopia and regional operations across Africa, reinforcing its position as the continent’s largest carrier.
Mesfin disclosed that the airline is currently considering three aircraft models for the order: the Airbus A220, Embraer’s E-Jet E2 family, and the Boeing 737 MAX 7. He noted that while discussions are ongoing, some technical and operational issues are still being evaluated before a final decision is reached. The Boeing 737 MAX 7 is expected to receive certification from the United States Federal Aviation Administration later this year, a factor that could influence the final choice.
Industry observers say the planned acquisition reflects Ethiopian Airlines’ continued strategy of modernising its fleet and expanding regional connectivity. The airline currently operates a fleet of about 147 aircraft and has in recent years added next-generation long-haul jets such as the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, Airbus A350, and Boeing 737 MAX series.
The proposed regional jets are expected to play a key role in improving feeder services into Addis Ababa, the airline’s main hub, which serves as one of Africa’s busiest aviation gateways. This will enhance connectivity for passengers travelling across African cities as well as those connecting to international destinations in Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and the Americas.
Aviation analysts note that smaller, fuel-efficient aircraft are increasingly important for developing regional routes where passenger demand may not support larger aircraft. The expansion is expected to open up new connections to secondary and underserved cities across the continent, boosting tourism, trade, and business travel.
The development also aligns with broader trends in African aviation, where carriers are positioning themselves for growth amid rising demand for air travel and gradual progress toward market liberalisation under initiatives such as the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM).
For the wider travel and tourism industry, the expansion could mean improved route flexibility, increased competition on regional fares, and better access to emerging destinations across Africa. Hospitality and tourism stakeholders are also expected to benefit from increased passenger traffic once the new aircraft enter service.
As Ethiopian Airlines weighs its final decision between Airbus, Boeing, and Embraer, the outcome is expected to have long-term implications for African aviation connectivity and regional mobility across the continent
