Emirates signs Boeing deal

Emirates has announced that it has placed the single-largest aircraft order in dollar value in Boeing's history for an additional 50 777-300 ER aircraft, worth approximately US$18bn in list price.

According to the Dubai-based group, the order also included 20 777-300 ER options valued at US$8bn, for a total of 70 aircraft valued at US$26bn.

The agreement was signed during a ceremony at the Dubai Air Show by His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, chairman and CEO, Emirates Airline and Group, and Jim Albaugh, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes.

'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 H.H. Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al-Maktoum. '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 777-300 ER 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 tonnes.

'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 in dollar value in Boeing’s history,' added Albaugh. '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 programme.'