Boeing and Ethiopian Airlines announced an order for 20 B737 MAX 8s. The order, previously unidentified on the Boeing Orders & Deliveries website, is worth more than US$2.1 billion at list prices and also includes options and purchase rights for a further 15 B737 MAX 8s. The order represents the largest single Boeing order by number of aircraft from an African carrier.

The B737 MAX incorporates the latest technology CFM International LEAP-1B engines, advanced technology winglets and other improvements. It is 14 per cent more fuel-efficient than today’s most efficient Next-Generation B737s – and 20 per cent better than the original Next-Generation B737s when they first entered service. The B737 MAX has a total of 2,294 orders from 47 customers worldwide.

“This historic order for Boeing and our partner Ethiopian once again positions the carrier at the heart of African aerospace innovation with the acquisition of the 737 MAX,” said Van Rex Gallard, vice president of Sales for Latin America, Africa and the Caribbean, Boeing Commercial Airplanes, speaking in Chicago. “Throughout the years, Ethiopian has consistently led the way in introducing new aircraft types to passengers across Africa. Today’s record order signals its commitment to continue that tradition.”