Emirates announces largest-ever aircraft order

November 28, 2013 | 14:37

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Emirates airline has again rewritten all records in civil aviation with an order for 150 Boeing 777X, comprising 35 Boeing 777-8Xs and 115 Boeing 777-9Xs, plus 50 purchase rights, and an additional 50 Airbus A380 aircraft.

Together, the Boeing and Airbus orders, excluding purchase rights, are worth an estimated $99 billion at list prices. This is the largest ever aircraft order in civil aviation and also Emirates’ largest order announced at any event to date.

The agreement was signed on November 27 at the Dubai Air Show by His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, chairman and chief executive, Emirates Airline and Group, with Jim McNerney, Boeing chairman, president and CEO, and Fabrice Brégier, Airbus’ president and CEO.

Emirates’ Boeing 777X order is the single largest aircraft order by value in the history of US commercial aviation, and the additional A380 order cements Emirates, already the largest operator of this aircraft type, as the principal customer for the A380 worldwide.

These latest orders bring Emirates’ total firm order book to 385 aircraft (excluding options or purchase rights), comprising 214 Boeing 777s, 101 Airbus A380s, and 70 A350s, at a total estimated value of $166 billion.

“Air transport is a key enabler of world trade, and we see that demand for aviation services will continue to grow globally. What we’re announcing today is a continuation of our commitment and vision to connect the world through our efficient hub in the Middle East. Emirates’ aircraft orders today, with deliveries of the 777X scheduled to start in 2020, will take us to 2025 and beyond – replacing aircraft due for retirement and providing the foundation for future growth,” said Al-Maktoum.

By By Hoang Anh

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