Ethiopian Airlines has signed a contract with Dar Al-Handasah Consultants to develop a "mega airport city" in Bishoftu.
The carrier says that the new project, in collaboration with Zaha Hadid Architects, will have the capacity to accommodate 110 million passengers per year, which is four times the current throughput of Addis Ababa Bole International airport, from which the new airport is 40km removed. The first phase, accommodating 60 million passengers, is set to be completed by 2029. The project includes a 1.1 million sqm terminal, extensive airline support facilities, and over 100,000 sqm of cargo and airport support infrastructure. The new airport will be located at a lower elevation than Addis Ababa, which is one of the world's most elevated airports, presenting what Ethiopian calls "unique operations challenges" for aircraft. Ethiopian Airlines Group chief executive officer Mesfin Tasew states: "The project will not only enhance connectivity but also drive economic growth and prioritise environmentally responsible practices in our country and beyond, reflecting the airline's commitment to innovation and sustainability."

Cathay Pacific has placed a firm order for 30 Airbus A330-900s, with options to acquire an additional 30. The Hong Kong-based carrier says the aircraft are expected to be delivered from 2028 through 2031 and will “progressively replace” its existing fleet of mid-size widebody aircraft. Cathay operates 138 widebodies, comprising 54 Boeing 777s, 47 A350s, 37 A330-300s and 20 747 freighters, fleets data shows. The A330-300 in its fleet has an average age of 14.9 years. Cathay values the order at $11 billion but notes that the actual transaction price will be lower as Airbus has granted “significant price concessions”. The delivery value of the 30 A330neos at $3.5 billion in 2024 economic conditions, based on a full-life base value of $115.3 million an aircraft. The transaction will be financed through bank loans, finance leases, sale-and-leasebacks or cash generated from operations, the carrier details. The incoming aircraft “will principally serve the company’s Asia regional destinations while also providing the flexibility to serve longer-haul destinations at a later stage,” it states. “As Cathay completes the final stretch of its rebuilding journey, we are turning the page to modernisation and growth, both in terms of scope and quality. We are delighted to announce this new order for state-of-the-art A330neo aircraft,” says Cathay Group chief executive officer Ronald Lam. "This latest order from Cathay, one of the world’s most experienced A330 operators, is a major endorsement of the latest generation A330neo. It is the natural successor for existing A330 fleets, bringing the highest levels of technical and operational commonality, and significant reductions in fuel consumption and carbon emissions,” adds Airbus chief executive officer of commercial aircraft, Christian Scherer. Excluding the latest order, Cathay and its subsidiary HK Express have 73 aircraft on order, including 46 A320 family jets, 21 Boeing 777-9s and six A350 freighters, according to its mid-year financial report. CORRECTION: A previous version erroneously stated that the carrier operates 28 A330s instead of 37.

The first Emirates Boeing 777 to have undergone nose-to-tail cabin refurbishment, including installation of premium economy seats, has re-entered service. A video posted by the Dubai carrier indicates that the 777-300ER in question is registered A6-ANV. Fleets data shows that this aircraft was built in 2014 and previously configured with eight first-class and 42 business-class seats – both supplied by Collins Aerospace – plus 310 Safran economy seats, putting total capacity at 360 passengers. The new four-class cabin layout, accommodating 324 passengers, features six seats in first class, 38 in business, 24 in premium economy and 256 in standard coach. The business and premium-economy seats are new and supplied by Safran, while the first and standard coach seats have been refurbished. Emirates says the refurbishment programme was completed in 37 days – four fewer than scheduled – and required 18,000 staff hours across round-the-clock shifts. The carrier plans to refit another 80 777s. Across its 777 fleet, it operates five different cabin configurations featuring two-, three- and four-class layouts, its website indicates. The cabin refurbishment programme was disclosed in 2022 and spans a total 191 widebodies, a mix of 777s and Airbus A380s. Emirates describes the effort as "the largest known retrofit programme", noting that it represents an investment in excess of $3 billion. More than 10 major partners have hired hundreds of skilled workers and set up workshops at Emirates' engineering facility and elsewhere for the programme, the carrier adds. Emirates passenger fleet comprises 122 777-300ERs, 10 777-200LRs and 119 A380s, fleets data shows. Additionally, the carrier has 11 777 Freighters, four 747Fs and one ACJ319 corporate jet. It has on order 170 777-9s, 35 777-8s, 15 787-8s, 15 787-10s, 65 A350-900s and 10 777Fs. Emirates says the newly refurbished 777 is being deployed on 7 August for a Geneva service. Refurbished aircraft are additionally flying to New York JFK, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Houston, London Heathrow, Sydney, Auckland, Christchurch, Melbourne, Singapore, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Sao Paulo, Tokyo Narita and Osaka, adds the airline.