Emirates has opened the 2023 Dubai Airshow with a mammoth order worth a reported US$52bn.
The order sees the Middle Eastern titan confirm an order for 55 additional Boeing 777-9s and 35 777-8s, which takes the carrier’s 777X orders to 205.
HH Sheikh Ahmed, one of the signatories on the order, said: "From day 1, Emirates’ business model has been to operate modern and efficient wide-body aircraft capable of carrying large numbers of travellers comfortably and safely, over long distances to and via Dubai. Today’s aircraft orders reflect that strategy.
"These additional aircraft will enable Emirates to connect even more cities, supporting the Dubai economic agenda D33 set out by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, to add 400 cities to Dubai’s foreign trade map over the next decade. By the early 2030s, we expect the Emirates fleet to be around 350-strong, connecting Dubai to even more cities around the world."
Stan Deal, President and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, added: "This order is an incredible vote of confidence in the efficiency and versatility of the 777X family to meet Emirates’ needs for global long-haul travel.
"The 777-9 and 777-8 are the perfect airplanes to support Emirates’ growth plans, improving environmental performance and unmatched payload capability."
The first 777-9 is expected to join Emirates’ fleet in 2025, and today’s announcement ensures aircraft will be introduced into its operations until 2035.
Elsewhere, the operator also confirmed an order of 202 GE9X engines to power the additional 777X aircraft, taking its total GE9X engine order to 460 units, as well as upping its Dreamliner order to 35 examples – comprised of 15 787-10s and 20 787-8s.
The carrier also kicked the show off in style, with a flypast of Airbus A380 A6-EOE (c/n 169) alongside UAE display team Al Fursan in vic formation, followed by Boeing 777-31HER A6-ENV (c/n 41368).
