International Airline Will Order A Mix Of Airbus and
Boeing
Emirates announced on November 11, that it has agreed to spend
$34.9 billion on new aircraft. These orders with Airbus and Boeing
are the largest-ever aircraft commitment in civil aviation made by
any airline in a single order.
The deal was announced at the Dubai Airshow and includes 120
Airbus A350s, 11 A380s, and 12 Boeing 777-300Ers.
HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, Emirates' Chairman and Chief
Executive, announced the massive order on Sunday, according to a
company press release.
Emirates CEO signed the contracts with Tom Enders, Airbus
President and CEO, and Lee Monson, Vice President Middle East and
Africa Sales, Boeing Commercial Airplanes.
The Airbus agreement comprises firm orders for 50 A350-900s and 20
A350-1000s, plus 50 options for the A350-900s. The first A350 will
be delivered to Emirates in 2014.
Emirates also firmed up orders on the eight A380s which it
signed letters of intent for earlier this year, and placed firm
orders for an additional three of the double-decker aircraft,
bringing its total firm order for the A380s to 58.
The contract with Boeing is for 12 firm orders of the 777-300ERs,
valued at $3.2 billion. The order brings Emirates up to 57 Boeing
777s pending delivery and is set to become the world's largest 777
operator in the next few years.
Sheikh Ahmed signed agreements Sunday with Sir John Rose, Chief
Executive of Rolls Royce for the Trent XWB engines to power
Emirates' new A350s; Bruce Hughes, President of the Engine Alliance
for the GP7200 to power its additional A380s; and Scott Donnelly,
President and CEO of GE Aviation for GE90 engines to power
Emirates' 777-300ERs.
In total aircraft and engine orders announced today are worth $23.4
billion - a value that increases to $34.9 billion if the 50 options
are included. "Emirates is committing close to $35 billion today
for new aircraft. Our total order includes 93 aircraft on firm
order and 50 on option. Once again, Emirates is making aviation
history," said HH Sheikh Ahmed.
"Emirates' total order for new jets now stands at 246 aircraft, all
wide body, and worth over $60 billion U.S. dollars. This is a
massive investment which reflects our confidence in the future of
air transport and our confidence in Dubai," Sheikh Ahmed said.
Emirates leader spelled out its plan and said it was developed
in 2003 for the future of the airline.
"In 2003, our plan was for Emirates to have 100 aircraft by 2010.
We have already surpassed that target," said Sheikh Ahmed. "Growth
and demand has exceeded the most optimistic projections. Dubai is
investing billions to secure its future as a leading center for
business, tourism and air transport on the global stage. Likewise,
Emirates is investing in a fleet for the future in order to support
Dubai's development as well as the growth of air travel demand
around the world."
The company stated its reasons for the purchase of the aircraft
models.
"The new aircraft we have ordered today are all of the latest
technology - they are greener and more efficient to operate. At the
same time, they will allow Emirates to continue setting the gold
standard in service. We intend to invest millions of dollars more
to develop cutting-edge in-flight products to match our
cutting-edge aircraft fleet," said Sheikh Ahmed.