AerCap and Ethiopian Airlines sign landmark lease for Africa’s first 777-300ERSF freighters

AerCap Holdings (NYSE:AER), the world’s largest aircraft lessor, has announced the signing of lease agreements with Ethiopian Airlines for two Boeing 777-300ERSF converted freighters.

The aircraft are scheduled for delivery in the second quarter of 2028 and will mark a significant milestone for African aviation as the first "Big Twin" freighters to be operated by a carrier on the continent.

The move aligns with Ethiopian Airlines' "Vision 2035" strategy, which aims to nearly double its cargo fleet to meet surging demand for e-commerce and perishables.

The Boeing 777-300ERSF, a passenger-to-freighter (P2F) conversion developed in partnership with Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), offers a compelling value proposition for long-haul logistics.

It provides 25% more cargo volume than the smaller 777-200F while maintaining significantly better fuel efficiency than aging four-engine freighters like the Boeing 747-400F.

For Ethiopian Airlines, the addition of these high-capacity twins will allow for direct, high-volume routes between its Addis Ababa hub and major markets in Europe, Asia, and the Americas with lower operational costs per tonne.