Boeing and Dubai-based Emirates Airline announced an order for 50 Boeing 777-300ERs (Extended Range) plus options for additional 20 of the airliner. This order marks the single largest commercial airplane order in Boeing’s history by dollar value. With a total of 182 Boeing 777 orders, 2011 is the best-selling year for the 777 program, surpassing the previous record of 154 orders set in 2005.
“The 777’s reliability, performance and operating economics have firmly established it as the backbone of our fleet,” said His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman and chief executive, Emirates Airline & Group. “We have an ambitious and strategic plan to continue growing our international network and especially increasing our long-haul, non-stop routes. This order supports our fleet expansion and reiterates our commitment to operating a modern fleet for the benefit of our passengers and to ensure operational efficiency as well.”
Emirates is the world’s largest 777 operator with a fleet of 94 777s through direct purchase and lease, plus additional unfilled orders on backlog for 41 777-300ERs previously on order. It is also the only airline in the world to operate every model in the Boeing 777 family, including the 777 Freighter.
Emirates took delivery of its first Boeing 777 – a 777-200 in 1996.
This order comes just a few days after Airbus announced a slight delay of its new A350XWB, a direct competitor to the 777. Emirates currently has 50 Airbus A350-900s and 20 A350-1000s on order. Tim Clark, president of Emirates, stated last year that the airline “could find alternatives to the A350 if there was a delay. (…) All I have to do is pick up the phone and order more Boeing 777s.”
Photo: Boeing