Emirates orders 12 Boeing 777-300ERs for US$3.2 billion

EMIRATES has placed an order for 12 Boeing 777-300ERs worth US$3.2 billion at list prices.

A Boeing statement said Emirates is world's biggest 777 customer with 110 airplanes ordered through direct purchase and lease to date. "Having an airline of this calibre as your biggest customer speaks volumes about the benefits offered by the 777 family," said Lee Monson, vice president for sales in the Mideast and Africa, said at the Dubai Air Show.

Emirates' current backlog of orders for the 777 will result in nearly one aircraft a month rolling off Boeing's assembly line for the next four to five years.

"We have found the 777s to be excellent aircraft - they are efficient and give us flexibility in balancing range and payload. That is why we have ordered so many," said Emirates CEO Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum.

"The 777s will form the backbone of our long-range fleet, allowing Emirates to serve more far-away cities in the Americas, Far East and Australasia with non-stop flights from Dubai," he said.

Emirates' global network includes 97 cities on six continents, including 10 cargo-only destinations. The airline will begin direct service to Houston December 3, the release added.