ADDIS ABABA, March 19 (Xinhua) -- Ethiopian Airlines, Ethiopia's national flag carrier, plans to purchase 124 airplanes from U.S. and European manufacturers, an Ethiopian official disclosed on Monday night.

Speaking to state-run media, Mesfin Tasew, chief executive officer (CEO) of Ethiopian Airlines Group, said the airline plans to buy the airplanes from Boeing and Airbus.

"Currently, we've entered into binding agreements with Boeing and Airbus to buy 70 airplanes. In addition, we've entered into a general agreement to buy 54 more airplanes," Tasew said.

The CEO did not disclose the exact dates for the delivery of the ordered planes.

Tasew said the airline is also preparing to construct a new mega airport that will eventually have the capacity to accommodate up to 100 million passengers annually.

The Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, Ethiopia's largest airport, currently has a maximum capacity of accommodating up to 25 million passengers annually.

Founded in 1946, Ethiopian Airlines Group is the largest African carrier with more than 150 domestic and international passenger and cargo destinations across five continents.

Ethiopian Airlines plans to increase its fleet from the current 140 aircraft to 271 by 2035. Enditem

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