EMIRATES PLACES LARGEST AIRCRAFT ORDER IN AVIATION HISTORY
(Posted 18th November 2013)
Emirates, the award winning national airline of Dubai, has on opening day of the Dubai Air Show placed the largest order ever made by a single airline, on a single occasion throughout aviation history. At list prices, it is assumed though that they will get a sizeable rebate from both Boeing and Airbus, the deals are worth some 99 billion US Dollars and for that money they will get 150 of the upgraded Boeing B777X, with 50 options thrown into the bargain, and an additional 50 Airbus A380 aircraft, which will make them the undisputed longhaul kings in the skies across the world.
The agreements were signed at the Dubai Air Show by His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline and Group, with Jim McNerney, Boeing Chairman, President and CEO, and Fabrice Brégier, Airbus’ President and CEO. The signing was witnessed by H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, the UAE Vice President and Ruler of Dubai.
Emirates’ Boeing 777X order is the single largest aircraft order by value in the history of U.S. commercial aviation, and the additional A380 order cements Emirates, already the largest operator of this aircraft type, as the principal customer for the A380 worldwide.
These latest orders bring Emirates’ total firm order book to 385 aircraft (excluding options or purchase rights), comprising 214 Boeing 777s, 101 Airbus A380s, and 70 A350s, at a total estimated value of US$ 166 billion.
‘Air transport is a key enabler of world trade, and we see that demand for aviation services will continue to grow globally. What we’re announcing today is a continuation of our commitment and vision to connect the world through our efficient hub in the Middle East. Emirates’ aircraft orders today, with deliveries of the 777X scheduled to start in 2020, will take us to 2025 and beyond – replacing aircraft due for retirement and providing the foundation for future growth’ said Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum.
Boeing’s Chairman, President and CEO Jim McNerney in his response said: ‘We are honoured by Emirates’ commitment to the newly launched 777X and the significant long term boost this provides to U.S. exports and jobs. Emirates has been an integral part of the 777 success story for many years and today operates the largest fleet of 777s anywhere in the world. We look forward to further strengthening our partnership with Emirates and continuing to support Dubai’s expansion into a global aviation hub’.
Not outdone though was Airbus which sold another 50 of the world’s largest passenger aircraft and the Airbus CEO Farbrice Bregier was quoted on the occasion of the signing of the order: ‘By strategically placing the A380 at the centre of its business, Emirates is maximizing its leading position with each day of operations. Emirates has understood from the start the A380’s advantages in terms of efficiency, economics and passenger comfort. It has been a true crowd-puller and contributor to the rapid development of Emirates and its Dubai hub. We value our partnership with Emirates airline and are pleased to see this getting stronger each day with their A380s flying’.
Emirates flies double daily to Nairobi, double daily to Dar es Salaam and daily to Entebbe, offering East Africans traveling on the airline easy connections in Dubai to the rest of the world, often accompanied by stopover packages for shopping or to simply enjoy the vast number of tallest, largest and most spectacular of just about anything which has ever been built.
Only recently was the new Dubai World Central airport commencing passenger operations and when complete it will have 6 runways and will be able to process at least 150 million passengers a year with further scope for expansion, making Dubai the undisputed hub of aviation in this day and age. Visit www.emirates.com for more information on schedules, promotional fares and even employment opportunities, as with these orders now in the pipeline the airline will undoubtedly have to redouble their efforts to recruit ground personnel, technical and engineering staff, cabin and cockpit crews. Watch this space for breaking and regular news from the wide world of aviation.
