Emirates Firms Up Boeing 777X Order

Emirates has finalised an order for 150 777Xs with Boeing, valued at $56 billion at list prices.

First announced as a commitment at the 2013 Dubai Airshow, the order by the world’s largest 777 operator was part of the largest product launch in commercial jetliner history. It comprises 115 777-9Xs and 35 777-8Xs.

The order also includes purchase rights for an additional 50 airplanes that, if exercised, could increase value to approximately $75 billion.

“With the order for 150 777Xs, Emirates now has 208 Boeing 777s pending delivery, creating and securing jobs across the supply chain,” said Emirates president Sir Tim Clark. “Today Emirates operates more than one in every 10 Boeing 777s aircraft built. We fly 138 of these efficient planes across the globe spanning the USA and Latin America in the west, to New Zealand and Japan in the East. The 777X will offer us operational flexibility in terms of range, more passenger capacity and fuel efficiency, and we look forward to inducting them into our fleet from 2020.”

Boeing Commercial Airplanes president and CEO Ray Conner said it was “extremely proud” to have Emirates continue its long-standing partnership with Boeing by becoming the largest launch customer for the 777X.

“I’m confident the 777X – with its new engines and all-new composite wing design – will bring superior value in terms of performance, efficiency and reliability to Emirates and our other launch customers,” he said.

The 777X will introduce the latest technologies including the most advanced commercial engine ever – the GE9X by GE Aviation – and an all-new high efficiency composite wing that has a longer span than today’s 777. The 777X family includes the 777-8X and the 777-9X, both designed to respond to market needs and customer preferences.

The 777-9X will be 12 per cent more fuel efficient than any competing airplane, necessary in today’s competitive environment. The 777-8X is five per cent more efficient than its competitor at all ranges while providing for new network opportunities.

Design of the 777X is underway and production is set to begin in 2017, with first delivery targeted for 2020. To date, the 777X has accumulated 300 orders and commitments from six airlines worldwide.