Emirates Orders Two Boeing 777 Freighters at Dubai Airshow 2021

(17 Nov 2021)  Emirates ordered two Boeing 777 Freighters at the Dubai Airshow 2021, expanding the future capability of one of the world's largest cargo airlines at a time of significant global demand for air freight.

The two aircraft are valued at more than US$704 million at list prices.

The freighters will be operated by Emirates SkyCargo, which currently operates an all-Boeing fleet of 10 777 Freighters and also carries cargo on Emirates' 134 777 passenger airplanes.

Emirates SkyCargo Boeing 777F reg: A6-EFF. Picture by Steven Howard of TravelNewsAsia.com

"Emirates plays a key role in making essential goods available to customers and consumers globally through the capacity available on our widebody fleet, the reach of our global network and the advanced infrastructure at our Dubai hub," said His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group. "We are delighted to announce an investment of $1 billion to further expand our freighter capacity. This underscores our commitment to supporting our customers' requirements, and reflects our confidence in our future growth and status as one of the largest airline cargo carriers in the world."

The 777 Freighter has a range of 9,200 kilometers and can carry a maximum revenue payload of 102,000 kilograms.

"We are honored that Emirates has once again placed its confidence in the 777 Freighter as the backbone of its global network," said Ihssane Mounir, Boeing senior vice president of Commercial Sales and Marketing. "As the largest operator of 777 passenger and freighter models worldwide, Emirates' success is a testament to the 777's market-leading efficiency, improved sustainability and incredible range."

Boeing's 2021 Commercial Market Outlook forecasts increased demand for dedicated freighters, including new and converted models. By 2040, Boeing has forecast that the global freighter fleet will be 70% larger than pre-pandemic, with the Middle East freighter fleet growing by 87%.

The company's global customer base has ordered more than 300 777 Freighters since 2005, including 38 orders this year.