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Ethiopian Airlines denies involvement in alleged aircraft wet-lease deal with Russia

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Ethiopian Airlines denies involvement in alleged aircraft wet-lease deal with Russia
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Mesfin Tasew, CEO | Ethiopian Airlines

Ethiopian Airlines has denied reports of a possible wet-lease agreement with Russia involving its fleet of Western-made aircraft. The rumors began after the Ethiopian Civil Aviation Authority (ECAA) posted on social media about discussions with Russian representatives that mentioned bilateral aviation agreements, including a potential wet-lease deal for Western jets. The ECAA later deleted the post.

CEO Mesfin Tasew addressed the matter during the airline’s 2024 results press conference, stating that such allegations are “completely false.” He emphasized there was "no such agreement" and called the reports "completely false.” In a statement, Ethiopian Airlines said, “We would like to inform all concerned that Ethiopian Airlines has never been requested or discussed on this topic with any party. Moreover, it does not have any plan or intention to do so. Hence, the news is unfounded."

A spokesperson clarified that while Ethiopian Airlines is fully owned by the government, decisions about its fleet rest solely with the airline and not with the ECAA. This distinction was reiterated by Tasew at the AviaDev Africa conference in June 2025, where he said that despite state ownership, Ethiopian Airlines maintains full operational autonomy.

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The speculation arose partly because Russia has been seeking ways to maintain its aviation sector amid Western sanctions, which restrict access to spare parts for Airbus and Boeing planes. Some observers suggested that if Ethiopian Airlines had moved forward with such a deal, it could have faced bans from major markets like the European Union and United States—destinations important to its long-haul business.

In its statement, Ethiopian Airlines noted it "conducts its operations in full compliance with applicable international laws, regulations, and contractual obligations." The airline reported $7.6 billion in revenue for fiscal year 2024—an 8% increase year-on-year—despite global challenges such as conflicts in Sudan and regulatory instability in other regions.

Industry experts continue to describe Ethiopian Airlines as a leading carrier in Africa due to its strong performance and adherence to international standards.

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