Emirates Airline has placed a new order with Boeing for two 777 freighters. The aircraft will operate with the airline’s SkyCargo division, which currently flies ten 777 freighters and carries cargo in hold space in the 134 Boeing 777 airliners operated by Emirates.
“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, Emirates chairman and chief executive. “Today we are delighted to announce an investment of $1 billion to further extend our freighter capacity.”
The 777F can carry up to 225,000 pounds of revenue payload and flies to a range of 4,970 nm, allowing it to undertake long-haul operations with fewer fuel stops and consequently reduced landing fees. Compared with legacy freighters, the 777F reduces fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by 17 percent.
Since 2005 Boeing has sold more than 300 777 Freighters, with 38 ordered this year. Recent orders tie to an increase in demand created by expanding e-commerce. The company’s 2021 Commercial Market Outlook forecasts that the global freighter fleet will grown by 70 percent by 2040 compared with pre-Covid levels. The growth will prove especially marked in the Middle East, where Boeing forecasts growth of 87 percent.