AerCap has signed lease agreements with Ethiopian Airlines for two converted Boeing 777-300ERSF freighters. The deal positions the Addis Ababa-based carrier as the launch operator of the type on the continent, with entry into service slated for the second quarter of 2028.
The 777-300ERSF — often referred to in the sector as “The Big Twin” — represents a step-change in payload economics for long-haul freight operators. Offering roughly 25 percent more capacity than smaller twin-engine widebody freighters, the platform is designed to deliver lower unit costs on high-density intercontinental routes, a factor that is increasingly critical as global airfreight demand continues its structural climb.
For AerCap Holdings N.V., the agreement extends a long-standing commercial relationship with Africa’s largest airline group while reinforcing its strategy of placing next-generation converted freighters with growth-oriented operators. Chief executive Aengus Kelly framed the transaction as both a capacity upgrade and a strategic enabler for Ethiopian’s cargo ambitions, noting the aircraft’s efficiency gains and network scalability.
Ethiopian Airlines, which has steadily built one of the most expansive cargo networks in the Global South, sees the addition as a lever to accelerate trade flows across Africa and beyond. Group CEO Mesfin Tasew highlighted the aircraft’s role in boosting both capacity and operational efficiency, particularly as the airline continues to invest in modern fleet solutions aligned with sustainability and long-term cost discipline.
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Author: Edward Hardy
