(MENAFN - Arab News) Emirates Airline has placed a 18 billion (AED66 billion) order for 50 Boeing 777s, the US aircraft maker's largest biggest-ever single order in dollar terms, at the Dubai Airshow.
The order also included 20 777-300 ER options valued at 8 billion for a total of 70 aircraft valued at 26 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 today's order that now stands at a firm order of 90 777-300 ERs.
Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, chairman and chief executive, Emirates Airline and Group, and Jim Albaugh, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, signed the agreement during a ceremony at the Dubai Air Show.
Emirates senior executives, Tim Clark, President, Emirates airline and Adel Al-Redha, Emirates executive vice president, engineering and operations as well as David Joyce, president and chief executive officer of GE Aviation were also present at the signing ceremony.
GE Aviation's GE 90-115B engine will power the 777-300 ER aircraft.
"With 61 777 300-ERs currently in service, this record-breaking dollar value order is another milestone for Emirates and affirms our strategy to expand our long haul destinations and continue to excel as a world leading carrier, connecting the world to Dubai and beyond," said Sheikh Ahmed.
"The Boeing 777-300 ER aircraft plays a pivotal role in Emirates development of a modern fleet to meet the demand for global air travel for the future."
The 777-300ER 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 tons.
"This is an extremely proud moment for us as it not only underscores Emirates' on going confidence in the 777 but also makes this the single largest order in dollar value in Boeing's history," said Jim Albaugh, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes.
"As the largest operator of the 777 in the world, Emirates has played an important role in development of the airplane and its input over the years has been invaluable in the development of the 777 program."
Emirates President Tim Clark said: "Today's 777-300 ER order gives Emirates the ability to replace some of our older existing aircraft allowing us to maintain our leadership in fuel efficiency as well as providing our customers with an updated superior product." He said passengers could look forward to continued innovations in aircraft comfort, entertainment and service.
Emirates currently has a fleet of 162 wide-bodied aircraft, flying to 115 destinations in 67 countries. The airline is on track to become one of the largest airlines in the world.
In addition to the 50 777-300 ERs announced today, Emirates has 73 Airbus A380s, 70 Airbus A350s, 40 777-300 ERs and six Boeing freighters on order, for a total of 239 wide-body aircraft worth more than 92 billion (AED337.6 billion).
