Ethiopian Airlines nears decision on order for up to 50 single-aisle aircraft

Investing.com -- Ethiopian Airlines Group is close to finalizing an aircraft order for up to 50 jets as the state-owned carrier works to modernize its fleet and grow its presence across Africa.

The airline is evaluating a purchase of 25 single-aisle planes with options for 10 additional aircraft, Chief Commercial Officer Lemma Yadecha said in an interview following the carrier's first flight to Mauritius.

Ethiopian is reviewing the smallest version of the Boeing Co. 737 Max family, Embraer regional jets, and the Airbus SE A220 model, Yadecha said. The airline is also approaching a decision on up to 16 freighters, including eight purchasing rights.

Yadecha said the carrier is conducting a "final evaluation" of the technical and financial aspects of the order and expects to decide "in weeks to come." The timing could allow Ethiopian to announce the order at this year's Farnborough Air Show, which begins next week.

Ethiopian aims to maintain its fleet at an average age of no more than eight years, Yadecha said. The airline needs to place orders quickly due to increasingly limited delivery slots in the coming years.

A contract with Airbus or Embraer would expand either manufacturer's relationship with a carrier whose fleet is primarily composed of Boeing aircraft. Ethiopian operates approximately 170 jets, including more than 100 Boeing 737s, 777s and 787s, along with 26 Airbus A350s and several dozen turboprops. The airline has more than 60 jets on order from Boeing.

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