DUBAI : Emirates has ordered another 95 long-haul aircraft from Boeing as the Dubai-based airline looks to meet increased passenger demand.
The deal, which was announced at the Dubai Airshow, will see Emirates purchasing 55 Boeing 777-9s and 35 777-8 aircraft. The airline will also add another five 787 Dreamliners to its order book with the US manufacturer.
Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, who is chairman and CEO of Emirates Airline and Group, said: “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.”
The new orders means that Emirates now has 205 aircraft from the 777 family of aircraft on order, while the number of new Dreamliners set to be delivered in the coming years goes up to 35.
Stan Deal, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, added that the order was an “incredible vote of confidence” in the company’s range of widebody aircraft.
“The 777-9 and 777-8 are the perfect airplanes to support Emirates’ growth, improving environmental performance and unmatched payload capability along the way,” said Deal.
Meanwhile Boeing has also announced a deal with another Dubai-based airline, Flydubai, for 30 Dreamliners as the carrier looks to “diversify” its fleet by adding long-haul aircraft.
Flydubai wanted to use these aircraft to “open new routes and grow capacity on existing routes”. Like Emirates, the carrier is also owned by the Dubai government.
Ghaith Al Ghaith, CEO of Flydubai, added: “Innovation is at the heart of everything we do at Flydubai. We are committed to offering the right product at the right time to cater to the changing market and customer needs.”
Currently the airline operates a fleet of 79 Boeing 737s with another 137 of these aircraft on order.
Courtesy: businesstravelnewseurope
