Dubai-based international airline Emirates today announced it has ordered five new Boeing 777 planes to support its existing fleet of cargo aircraft.
The cargo section of the airline, Emirates SkyCargo, already has 11 of Boeing’s 777 planes, two of which were added earlier this year. The combined value of the five new planes ordered totals more than US$1.7 billion.
Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Group said: “Emirates is investing in new freighters so that we can continue to serve customer demand with the latest fuel-efficient aircraft.”
He added: “This order reflects Emirates’ confidence in air freight demand and overall aviation sector growth. It lays the ground for our continued growth, which is driven by the reach of our diverse global network, the advanced handling infrastructure at our Dubai hub, and the tailored transport solutions that Emirates has developed to serve our varied customers’ needs.”
This sentiment is echoed by Boeing Commercial Airplanes’ President and Chief Executive Stan Deal, who said: “The expansion of Emirates’ fleet with these additional fuel-efficient 777 Freighters will enable the airline to support its growing cargo market demand, transporting goods rapidly and efficiently from origin to destination in the Middle East and around the world.”
