ADDIS ABABA, May 12 – Africa’s largest airline is in preliminary discussions with Airbus over a potential order for regional and widebody aircraft, as Ethiopian Airlines accelerates plans to expand its continental and international footprint, Bloomberg News reported, citing people familiar with the matter.
The state-owned carrier is considering acquiring about 20 Airbus A220 aircraft alongside roughly six A350 widebody jets, according to people familiar with the discussions. The talks remain at an early stage, and the size or timing of any potential order has yet to be finalized.
The move comes as Ethiopian Airlines pushes forward with ambitions to position itself as a global aviation connector competing with major international carriers such as Turkish Airlines and Emirates.
The airline is currently developing a multibillion-dollar airport project designed to handle 60 million passengers annually, with long-term plans to expand capacity to 110 million passengers by 2036.
The potential deal would also strengthen Airbus’ position within Ethiopian Airlines’ fleet, which remains heavily dominated by Boeing aircraft. Ethiopian currently operates approximately 150 jets, including Boeing 737s, 777s and 787s, alongside 26 Airbus A350 aircraft and a fleet of turboprops.
The airline also maintains more than 60 outstanding aircraft orders with Boeing.
The discussions come at a turbulent moment for the global aviation industry. The ongoing Middle East conflict has disrupted international air routes, increased operational costs and driven jet fuel prices sharply higher following tensions around the Strait of Hormuz.
Still, shifting global travel patterns could create opportunities for African carriers. As some travelers and airlines seek alternatives to traditional Gulf transit hubs, Ethiopian Airlines and other African operators may benefit from increased transit demand through the continent.
For Airbus, the talks could provide momentum for its A220 programme, which has faced weaker order activity in recent years despite renewed global marketing efforts. Last week, AirAsia placed an order for 150 A220 aircraft in one of the model’s largest deals to date.
