Ethiopian Airlines Refutes Plans of Supplying Jets and Parts to Russia

Ethiopian Airlines, Africa’s largest and most profitable carrier, has strongly refuted recent allegations circulating on social media and some media outlets suggesting it plans to lease aircraft to Russian airlines or supply them with spare parts.

In an official statement released today on its verified X (formerly Twitter) account, the airline emphasized that the claims are entirely baseless. The statement reads:

“We would like to inform all concerned that Ethiopian Airlines has never been requested nor held discussions on this topic with any party. Moreover, it has no plan or intention to do so. Hence, the news is unfounded. We also wish to assure our customers, partners, and stakeholders that Ethiopian Airlines conducts its operations in full compliance with all applicable international laws, regulations, and contractual obligations.”

Speaking at a press conference yesterday at the Skylight Hotel in Addis Ababa, Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO Mesfin Tasew directly addressed the rumors while presenting the company’s performance for the 2024/2025 Ethiopian fiscal year. He categorically dismissed the reports as false and misleading.

“There is no such agreement. These reports are completely false,” he stated.

The rumors gained traction following reports that a Russian delegation, led by Trade Commissioner Yaroslav V. Tarasyuk, had met with Ethiopia’s Civil Aviation Authority (ECAA) on July 29. The alleged agenda included proposals for wet-leasing aircraft from Ethiopian Airlines, collaborating on aircraft maintenance, and supplying Russian-made navigation equipment.

The reports also claimed that Russian officials were seeking to utilize Ethiopia’s Boeing-accredited Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facilities, expand cooperation in aviation services, and explore a new bilateral air transport agreement. However, the ECAA has published no official record of such a meeting.

A wet-lease arrangement, as described in the claims, would involve Ethiopian Airlines providing aircraft, crew, maintenance, and insurance (commonly known as ACMI) to Russian carriers allowing them to operate Western-manufactured planes under Ethiopian registration. Such arrangements would raise significant legal and regulatory concerns, especially in light of ongoing Western sanctions against Russia’s aviation sector.

Russia’s commercial aviation industry continues to struggle under the weight of international sanctions. In March, Dmitry Yadrov, head of Russia’s Federal Air Transport Agency (Rosaviatsiya), revealed that 58 aircraft had been decommissioned due to spare part shortages, maintenance issues, and safety concerns.

Ethiopian Airlines, renowned for its world-class safety record and regulatory compliance, reiterated its commitment to transparency and lawful conduct.

“We continue to focus on delivering safe, reliable, and globally compliant aviation services,” the airline concluded.