Emirates Orders 42 777s, Options For 20 More

Boeing and Emirates have announced a firm order for 42 Boeing 777s, with purchase rights for 20 additional airplanes. The deal was announced at the Dubai Air Show this weekend, and is valued at $9.7 billion at list prices.

"We're honored that Emirates' has again chosen the 777 and will now use the entire 777 family as a cornerstone of its fleet operations," said Alan Mulally, Boeing Commercial Airplanes president and chief executive officer. "Emirates is renowned for its quality and excellence and we're excited to see how the airline and its passengers will benefit from the superior economics, comfort and utility of the 777 models ordered today."

Emirates' order is for 24 Boeing 777-300ERs, 10 777-200LR Worldliners and 8 777 Freighters, with the first airplanes scheduled for delivery in 2007.

When current orders are delivered by late 2007, Emirates fleet will include 51 Boeing 777s, already making it one of the world's largest 777 fleets -- and the additional 42 planes would make Emirates the largest Boeing 777 operator in the world.

According to a Boeing release, Emirates will use the new aircraft to extend routes to key European and Asian cities, and fly to emerging markets. The long-haul aircraft will also be utilized to begin direct flights to the US West Coast.

Although certainly a large customer for Boeing, the airline also has a large fleet of Airbus aircraft, and is also scheduled to receive one of the first A380s when the superjumbo enters service in 2007.

FMI: www.emirates.com, www.boeing.com