The airline wants to be well-placed for the ever-increasing global air cargo demand. Emirates has signed up for more Boeing 777 freighters as it looks to grow its dedicated cargo fleet in the coming years.
The airline inducted 2 new 777Fs this year and also plans to have several passenger variants of the type converted to freighters beginning in 2023.
Emirates announce
Emirates today announced a firm order for 5 more Boeing 777-200LR freighter aircraft worth over $1.7 billion at list prices. Two of these aircraft will join its fleet in 2024, and the remaining three will be delivered in 2025.
This takes the airline’s total order book to 200 widebody aircraft. Emirates’ CEO HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum commented,
“… This order reflects Emirates’ confidence in airfreight demand and overall aviation sector development. It lays the ground for our continued development, which is driven by the reach of our diverse international network, the advanced handling infrastructure at our Dubai hub, and the tailored transport solutions that Emirates airlines have developed to serve our varied customers’ needs.”
- Currently, Emirates operates a fleet of 11 Boeing 777 freighters and also uses the belly-hold cargo capacity on its fleet of widebody 777 and A380 passenger aircraft.
Boeing 777 freighters
Emirates has come to depend on the Boeing 777 freighters for nearly its entire cargo operations. The airline was the launch passengers of the type and operates its fleet of existing 777Fs for scheduled and charter missions to destinations across 6 continents.
To further its commitment to cargo operations, the airline revealed a $1 billion investment at the Dubai International Airshow last year to add 2 new 777Fs. These aircraft were delivered earlier this year. It also declared the signing of a deal with Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) for converting four Boeing 777-300ER passenger aircraft into full freighters.
The converted freighters will provide up to ten additional pallet positions over the 777F allowing for the transport of more low-density cargo, including e-commerce goods. Earlier this year, Emirates signed a commitment to convert 6 more of its own Boeing 777-300ERs into freighters, taking the total order for the type to ten. Work on the aircraft conversion will start in 2023.
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The global cargo markets are now experiencing a growth in demand following the COVID-19 pandemic, and Emirates airlines want a more significant share of the pie. Earlier this year, it targeted the growing market in China, rising cargo flight frequencies to the country during the summer season.
United Airlines
Then, in September, the carrier signed a Memorandum of Understanding with United Airlines to work closely across several areas, including expanding cargo interline options and blocked space deals.
The agreement will permit Emirates SkyCargo clients to have access to over 200 cities in the US and 300 cities across 5 continents through United Cargo.
Emirates wants to be well-equipped to handle the ever-growing global air cargo demand by expanding its fleet and network and entering strategic partnerships.
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