Emirates airline orders 50 Boeing 777s in $18 billion deal

[News_Editor]

Emirates airline orders 50 Boeing 777s in $18 billion deal

2011-11-13 17:58:13 GMT+7 (ICT)

DUBAI (BNO NEWS) -- Emirates airline, the flag carrier of the United Arab Emirates, has ordered 50 Boeing 777s in a deal valued at some $18 billion at list prices, the companies announced on Sunday.

Boeing said the fast-growing airline ordered 50 777-300 Extended Range (ER) aircraft plus options for an additional 20 aircraft, making it the single largest commercial airplane order by dollar value in the aircraft manufacturer's history. It also makes it the best-selling year for the 777 program with 182 orders, surpassing the previous record of 154 in 2005.

Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman and chief executive of the Emirates Airline & Group, said the 777's 'reliability, performance and operating economics' have established the 777 aircraft as a backbone for its fleet.

"We have an ambitious and strategic plan to continue growing our international network and especially increasing our long-haul, non-stop routes," Sheikh Ahmed said. "This order supports our fleet expansion and reiterates our commitment to operating a modern fleet for the benefit of our passengers and to ensure operational efficiency as well."

Emirates is the world's largest 777 operator with a fleet of 94 777s and has 41 777-300ERs on backlog, not including the latest order. Sunday's order follows an order in July 2010 when Emirates ordered 30 777-300ERs at the Farnborough International Airshow.

Jim Albaugh, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airlines, said Emirates has played an important role in the development of the 777 aircraft. "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 by dollar value in Boeing's history," he said.

Emirates, which was founded in 1985 and ranks among the top 10 carries worldwide, employs nearly 39,000 people.

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