Emirates, the world’s largest operator of wide-body passenger aircraft, kicked off the Dubai Airshow 2023 by announcing a substantial order for an additional 95 wide-body aircraft.
This order brings the airline’s total order book to 295 aircrafts.
The order includes Boeing 777-9s, 777-8s, and 787s, with a total value of approximately $52 billion.
Emirates’ growth plans
The investment will fuel the airline’s growth plans, ensure a modern and efficient fleet, and provide an exceptional flying experience to its customers.
The momentous announcement took place in the presence of esteemed dignitaries, including Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council, Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, and Deputy Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Mansour bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council.
The signing ceremony involved Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group, along with Stan Deal, President and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, and Larry Culp, Chairman and CEO for GE, and CEO of GE Aerospace.
Sheikh Ahmed emphasised the Emirates’ long-standing strategy of operating modern and efficient wide-body aircraft capable of accommodating a large number of passengers comfortably and safely.
“These additional aircraft will enable Emirates to connect even more cities, supporting the Dubai economic agenda D33 set out by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, to add 400 cities to Dubai’s foreign trade map over the next decade. By the early 2030s, we expect the Emirates fleet to be around 350-strong, connecting Dubai to even more cities around the world,” he said.
As part of the Boeing order, the airline has committed to purchasing 55 additional 777-9s and 35 777-8s, bringing the airline’s total order for the 777-X series to 205 units.
The airline also confirmed an order for 202 GE9X engines to power the newly ordered 777X aircraft, increasing its total GE9X engine order to 460 units.
The first 777-9 from the previous order is expected to join the airline’s fleet in 2025, and the airline will continue to introduce new 777-9s until 2035.
Dubai’s carrier will also become one of the launch customers for the 777-8 passenger variant, with initial deliveries scheduled for 2030.
Sheikh Ahmed expressed Emirates’ strong commitment to Boeing and added: “Emirates is the biggest operator of Boeing 777 aircraft, and today’s order cements that position. We’ve been closely involved in the 777 programme since its startup until this latest generation of 777X aircraft. The 777 has been central to Emirates’ fleet and network strategy of connecting cities on all continents non-stop to Dubai. We are pleased to extend our relationship with Boeing and look forward to the first 777-9 joining our fleet in 2025.”
Emirates-Boeing partnership
Stan Deal, President and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, hailed the order as a testament to the 777X family’s efficiency and versatility.
“The 777-9 and 777-8 are the perfect airplanes to support Emirates’ growth plans, improving environmental performance and unmatched payload capability,” he said.
Emirates’ fleet heavily relies on the 777 aircraft, capable of undertaking journeys lasting up to 18 hours, enabling non-stop connections between Dubai and cities on six continents.
The newly ordered 777-9s and 777-8s will replace retiring 777 aircraft and accommodate the airline’s future expansion plans.
In addition to the Boeing order, the airline has revised its previous commitment for 30 Boeing 787-9s and now plans to acquire a total of 35 Dreamliners.
This includes 15 Boeing 787-10s and 20 Boeing 787-8s
