Ethiopian Airlines Eyes Regional Jet Order to Accelerate African Network Expansion

Ethiopian Airlines is preparing to choose new regional jets within three months, in a decision that could reshape its short-haul economics and industrial ties across African aviation. The airline is considering a regional jet order as it aligns fleet renewal with its ambition to position Addis Ababa as a leading pan-African hub.

Fleet strategy at a turning point

Ethiopian Group CEO Mesfin Tasew said the airline would “probably decide within the next three months” on an order for 25 smaller commercial jets to expand local and regional services. They set a clear timeline for a fleet move that has been under study for months.

The airline has examined proposals for around 25 regional aircraft. The evaluation focuses on aircraft smaller than its current narrowbody workhorses. These are aimed at thinner intra-African routes and secondary city pairs.

Ethiopian already runs a multi-fleet model. It operates Boeing 737 and 787 aircraft alongside Airbus A350 widebodies on medium- and long-haul routes. This mix reflects a deliberate strategy to match aircraft size and range to route demand while keeping leverage across manufacturers.

The planned regional jet order would fill a gap between turboprops and larger narrowbodies. It would allow Ethiopian to open new sectors that are too thin for 737s but need jet speed and range. That aligns with management’s long-stated plan to channel more intra-African flows through Addis Ababa and, in time, through the new Bishoftu International Airport now under construction.

Industrial partners and capex implications

For manufacturers, the Ethiopian Airlines regional jets campaign is strategically important. A win would give any successful bidder a high-profile reference customer in Africa’s largest and most consistently profitable carrier. For Ethiopian, the choice will influence unit costs, maintenance complexity and financing structures well into the 2030s.

The decision will be a major fleet investment for Ethiopian Airlines. How Ethiopian sequences deliveries against existing Boeing and Airbus backlogs will affect its balance sheet, lease exposure and currency risk.

For investors and lenders, the Ethiopian Airlines regional jets order will act as a signal on several fronts: management’s appetite for capacity growth in secondary African markets, its tolerance for fleet complexity, and its willingness to broaden or rebalance supplier relationships. Over the next quarter, attention will focus on which manufacturer secures the mandate and how financing is structured.

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