Emirates Orders More B777Xs in $52bn Expansion Plan  

Middle Eastern carrier, Emirates, has unveiled an agreement for 90 additional Boeing 777X twinjets, and a revised 787 deal, while its partner airline Flydubai is branching into widebody operations with 30 787-9s.

Flight Global reported that Emirates values its part of the order – disclosed on the first day of the Dubai air show – at $52 billion.

It comprises 55 additional 777-9s, which will be delivered from 2025, plus 35 of the smaller 777-8 which will start arriving in 2030.

Prior to the deal the airline had 115 777Xs on order, part of a 200-widebody backlog which also included 30 787-9s, five 777 freighters, and 50 Airbus A350-900s.

Emirates Group Chief, Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, while speaking at the event, said the carrier would be “one of the launch customers” for the 777-8.

He adds that Emirates is “updating” its previous 787 order.

The Dubai-based operator had committed to 40 787-10s a few years ago, before rejigging the deal to take 30 787-9s instead.

But Al Maktoum said the airline will have 35 B787s, comprising 15 787-10s – revisiting its earlier intention to take the largest variant – and 20 787-8s, opting for the smallest model.

He said Emirates, as a result, will have 295 widebody aircraft on order, including 205 777Xs. To power the 777Xs, the carrier is signing for 202 additional General Electric GE9X engines.

Al Maktoum said the B777 is “the centre of Emirates’ strategy to connect cities on all continents” from Dubai.

Boeing Commercial Airplanes Chief, Stan Deal ,said the agreement would extend the Boeing 777X programme and adds that the 787 is an “important element” of the overall package.

Emirates has a close partnership with Flydubai – including an extensive codeshare and co-operation pact – and this was illustrated by the decision by the two carriers to hold a joint event.