Russia has proposed a wet lease agreement with Ethiopian Airlines following a delegation’s visit to Addis Ababa on July 29 to discuss expanded aviation cooperation.
The collaboration aims to leverage Ethiopia’s Boeing-accredited MRO facilities for aircraft maintenance and explore the supply of Russian navigational aid equipment.
The proposed wet lease would enable Russian carriers to operate Western-made aircraft, such as Boeing or Airbus models, under Ethiopian registration amid ongoing sanctions.
Ethiopian Airlines is facing its own aircraft shortages due to production delays, impacting its ability to meet growth projections.
Ethiopia’s Civil Aviation Authority welcomed the proposals, stating there would be opportunities for Russian suppliers to engage in competitive tenders for aviation equipment.
Ethiopian CEO Yohannes Abera shared, “There will be an opportunity for collaboration regarding MRO facilities with Russia’s interest”.
