By CONRAD ONYANGO
Emirates has made a record breaking aircraft order with Boeing by adding 70 aircrafts valued at Sh. 2.6 trillion (US$ 26 billion) to its fleet.
This has been termed as record breaking long-range order in the single largest by any airline with Boeing.
The airline service provider has placed an order for an additional 50 B777-300 ER aircraft, worth approximately (US$ 18 billion) in list price. The order also included 20 B777-300 ER options valued at US$8 billion, for a total of 70 aircraft valued at US$ 26 billion.
The new fleet adds to other 95 B777s in service including nine 200 ERs, 10 -200 LRs, 12 -300s, 61-300 ERs and three freighters. Emirates had 40 B777-300 ERs already on the order books, bringing total order to 90 B777-300 Ers.
Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline and Group, H.H. Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, said, “With 61 B777 300-ERs currently in service, this record breaking dollar value order is another milestone for Emirates and affirms our strategy to expand our long haul destinations and continue to excel as a world leading carrier, connecting the world to Dubai and beyond.”
“The Boeing 777-300 ER aircraft plays a pivotal role in Emirates development of a modern fleet to meet the demand for global air travel for the future.” he added.
The 777-300ER will be operated in a three-class configuration with eight First Class suites, 42 Business Class seats and 310 Economy Class seats and offers an additional cargo payload of 20.1 tonnes.
President and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes,Jim Albaugh, said This is an extremely proud moment for not only underscoring Emirates’ on going confidence in the B777 but also making the single largest order in dollar value in Boeing’s history.
He added, “ As the largest operator of the 777 in the world, Emirates has played an important role in development of the airplane and its input over the years has been invaluable in the development of the 777 program.”
According to Emirates President,Tim Clark, B777-300 ER order gives Emirates the ability to replace some older existing aircraft allowing for maintenance of the company’s leadership in fuel efficiency as well as providing customers with an updated superior product.
“Our passengers can look forward to continued innovations in aircraft comfort, entertainment and service for which Emirates is renowned.” said Clark.
Emirates currently has a fleet of 162 wide-bodied aircraft, flying to 115 destinations in 67 countries. The airline is on track to become one of the largest airlines in the world. In addition to the 50 777-300 ERs announced today, Emirates has 73 Airbus A380s, 70 Airbus A350s, 40 777-300 ERs and six Boeing freighters on order, for a total of 239 wide-body aircraft worth more than Sh 9.2 trillion (US$92 billion).
