20 July 2004

DUBAI - Emirates yesterday placed firm orders for four Boeing 777-300ER aircraft with nine options for a list price value of $2.96 billion at the Farnborough Air Show in the UK .

Emirates' Chairman Shaikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, who signed the contract with Boeing's President and CEO Alan Mulally at the Farnborough yesterday, said the 777 has proved to be an excellent aircraft for Emirates. "It is extremely popular with our passengers, cargo customers and crew. The new Extended Range version will provide the reliability and the extra capacity for passengers and cargo which we will need.

"The low operating costs, renowned passenger approval, and the revenue capability from both cargo and passengers are the main reasons we selected the 777-300ER,"  he said. Also present at the announcement were Maurice Flanagan, Emirates' Vice-Chairman & Group President, Tim Clark, President Emirates Airline and Ghaith Al Ghaith, Emirates' Executive Vice President Commercial Operations Worldwide.

Speaking to Khaleej Times from Farnborough, Doug Groseclose, Senior Vice President, Boeing Commercial Airlines, Sales, said the Emirates order on the first day of the show has given the US manufacturer a great momentum. On the prospects of Boeing bagging launch orders from the Middle East for its 7E7 Dreamliner, he said they are continuing discussions with several regional carriers. "We are optimistic, and I cannot say anything more at this juncture. We have two more days to go at the air show."

He said Boeing is well on target to deliver some 285 aircraft this year.

Boeing's President Alan Mulally said Emirates would become one of three airlines in the world operating four members of the 777 family when it receives the 777-300ER. "That's further evidence of its commitment to be one of the world's premier airlines. We're honoured to be its partner."

The 777-300ER has a range of 8,900 kms with a full passenger and cargo load, against a 6,700-km range for the 777-300. The aircraft's cargo capacity is a substantial 20,000 kgs with a full passenger load.

Emirates will use the 777-300ER to further its expansion plans and to increase frequency on major trunk routes. The airline currently serves 77 destinations in 54 countries.

The four 777-300ER on firm order will be delivered in 2006. They will be configured in First, Business and Economy cabins with 12, 42 and 310 seats respectively. The remaining nine are covered by purchase rights that extend through 2012. The catalogue price for a Boeing 777-300ER is between $203 and $231 million.

Emirates currently operates 21 Boeing 777-300s and 777-200s. Next year, delivery will start of a separate group of 26 777-300ERs from leasing companies as announced at the Paris Air Show last year. At that point, Emirates will operate the 777-200, 777-200ER, 777-300, and the 777-300ER. By late 2007, Emirates will have a total of 51 Boeing 777s, giving it one of the world's largest 777 fleets, with a list price of $10 billion. Boeing's 777 family is one of the world's most advanced, and the 777 is the only airplane to receive ETOPS (extended-range, twin-engine operations) certification upon first entering service.

In addition to its Boeing fleet, Emirates also operates the latest Airbus aircraft with a fleet of 29 A330-200s, eight A340-300s, five A340-500s and one A310 in service. On order are five more A340-500s, 20 A340-600s and 45 of the super-jumbo A380-800s which will give Emirates one of the largest Airbus fleets in the world. Emirates aircraft orders were announced at the Dubai Airshow 2001, the Paris Air Show last year and Farnborough Air Show. 

BY ISAAC JOHN

© Khaleej Times 2004