Dubai’s Emirates buys 5 Boeing 777 freighters

Dubai’s Emirates has placed a firm order for five new Boeing 777-200LR freighter aircraft.

Two units will be delivered in 2024, while the remaining three units are expected to arrive in 2025.

We’ve just placed an order for 5 new Boeing 777-200LR freighter aircraft to boost our freighter network. https://t.co/jAh59aWIuq pic.twitter.com/xy5nNzX8sg

— Emirates Airline (@emirates) November 8, 2022

The agreement, worth over $ 1.7bn at list prices, takes the airline’s total order book to 200 wide-body aircraft.

“Emirates is investing in new freighters so that we can continue to serve customer demand with the latest fuel-efficient aircraft,” said Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman and chief executive of Emirates Airline and Group.

“This order reflects Emirates’ confidence in airfreight demand and overall aviation sector growth.”

Emirates announced a $1bn investment at the last Dubai Airshow, to expand its air cargo capacity, including two new 777Fs which joined the fleet this year, and plans to convert 10 Boeing 777-300ERs into freighter aircraft. The aircraft conversion work is scheduled to begin in 2023.

Emirates was the launch customer for the Boeing 777 freighter, with the aircraft having since become core to the airline’s operations, operating scheduled and charter missions to destinations across six continents, a statement said.

The carrier currently operates a fleet of 11 Boeing 777 freighters, in addition to bellyhold cargo capacity on its fleet of wide-body 777 and A380 passenger aircraft.

Earlier this year, the airline commenced plans to upgrade the entire interior cabins of 120 Airbus A380 and Boeing 777 aircraft, with the project officially beginning this month.

Read: UAE’s Emirates to commence largest known fleet retrofit project in November