DUBAI: Emirates airline on Sunday made the 12th edition of the Dubai Airshow, the biggest ever biennial aviation gathering, more bigger as the carrier placed a huge order for 50 Boeing 777s worth $18 billion (Dh66 billion, which is the single biggest order in almost 100 years history of the US airplane maker.
The agreement signing ceremony was witnessed by His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. It was signed by Chairman of Dubai Civil Aviation and Chief Executive of Emirates Group Shaikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum and Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and Chief Executive Officer Jim Albaugh.
“The 777 has really served Emirates very well in terms of the seat cost, especially when we see that the fuel price today is very high,” Shaikh Ahmed said.The value of Emirates first day order has exceeded the last edition’s total orders of $14 billion, which was announced after the show in 2009 by the organisers. The new Boeing order also included 20 777-300 ER options valued at $8 billion (Dh29.4 billion), for a total of 70 aircraft valued at $26 billion (Dh95.4 billion).
This record-breaking long-range aircraft order, adds to Emirates existing world’s largest fleet of 95 777s in service, including nine 200 ERs, 10 200 LRs, 12 300s, 61 300 ERs and three freighters. Emirates had 40 777-300 ERs already on the order books, so with Sunday’s order that now stands at a firm order of 90 777-300 ERs.
The 777-300 ER will be operated in a three-class configuration with eight First Class suites, 42 Business Class seats and 310 Economy Class seats and offers an additional cargo payload of 20.1 tonnes.“This is an extremely proud moment for us as it not only underscores Emirates’ ongoing confidence in the 777 but also makes this the single largest order in dollar value in Boeing’s history,” said Albaugh.Last year at Britain’s Farnborough show, Emirates placed an order for 30 Boeing 777 planes worth $9.1 billion. – Khaleejnews
