Michael Wakabi

In a surprising development, Boeing has entered the competition to supply Ethiopian Airlines with its next-generation regional aircraft, pitching the 737 MAX 7 as a potential replacement for the airline’s aging turboprop fleet.

Ethiopian Airlines currently operates 30 De Havilland Canada Dash 8 aircraft and is looking to replace at least 20 of them with narrow-body jets as it modernizes and upscales its domestic and regional operations. Until recently, the competition was a head-to-head between Embraer’s E2 series and the Airbus A220. However, Boeing’s unexpected proposal of the MAX 7 has added a new dimension to the selection process.

Speaking to 256BN on the sidelines of the IATA Annual General Meeting in New Delhi June 1, Ethiopian Airlines CEO Mesfin Tasew revealed the development: “Boeing is in the race, and we are now evaluating three aircraft models — the E2 from Embraer, the A220 from Airbus, and the 737 MAX 7. Boeing is a late entrant, but the final choice depends on who gives us the right price.”

Boeing’s MAX 7 — the smallest member of the MAX family — was initially delayed by regulatory challenges, but the company now expects to complete its certification by the end of 2025, alongside the larger MAX 10. At 135 seats, the MAX 7, just like the A220-300, is significantly larger than the Dash 8, raising questions about its suitability for thinner domestic routes. However, its extended range of 3,800 nautical miles could give Ethiopian Airlines added flexibility to operate both dense domestic and underserved regional routes with the same platform.

Ethiopian Airlines serves 28 domestic destinations and is investing in infrastructure to support this fleet transition. Over 20 domestic airports across the country are undergoing upgrades to handle jet operations as part of the airline’s broader modernisation strategy.

With Boeing’s entry, the competition to supply Africa’s largest and most influential carrier with its next regional aircraft has become a closely watched contest, and the final decision could have ripple effects across the continent’s aviation landscape.