Summary
- Emirates SkyCargo has ordered five Boeing 777 Freighters for $1 billion to boost cargo capacity by 30%.
- The order allows Emirates to meet customer demand and support Dubai’s Economic Agenda.
- The airline will retire older freighters and convert 777-300ERs to grow its freighter fleet to 17 aircraft by 2025.
Emirates SkyCargo has placed a firm order for up to five Boeing 777 Freighters ahead of the Farnborough Air Show next week. The order marks another milestone in the airline’s long-term strategy, bolstering its main deck cargo capacity and bringing its total order book to 315 widebody aircraft.
Adding five 777 Freighters
On July 16, 2024, Boeing and Emirates SkyCargo, the cargo division of Dubai-based Emirates, announced an order for an additional five 777 Freighters in a deal worth $1 billion. The new aircraft will be delivered between 2025 and 2026, immediately increasing the airline’s available main deck cargo capacity by 30%.
Photo: Bjoern Wylezich | Shutterstock
The addition of the freighters will allow Emirates SkyCargo to deploy much-needed capacity into key markets and meet the needs of its global customers. The cargo carrier has seen outstanding financial performance throughout Q1 of its current 2024/25 financial year, with consistently high load factors and tonnages surpassing pre-pandemic 2019 figures. Speaking about the order, Emirates Airline and Group Chairman and CEO Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum said,
“Demand for our world-class product and services is growing exponentially, further amplified by Dubai’s Economic Agenda, which aims to double foreign trade and reinforce the city’s position as a global trading hub. This investment in additional Boeing 777 capacity enables us to cater to customer demand and marks a step forward on our long-term strategic growth plan.”
“The next phase of our strategy will include a full assessment for our future freighter fleet, reviewing all aircraft options to ensure we are best equipped to respond to the evolving demands of the market and reaffirming our confidence in the role of airfreight and, more specifically, Emirates SkyCargo, in global trade.”
According to Boeing, the 777 Freighter is currently the world’s most capable twin-engine freighter, with a range of 4,970 NM (9,200 km) and a revenue payload (net) of 102 metric tons. The range and payload capability allows customers like Emirates to offer more long-range, non-stop flights connecting the Middle East to key markets in the US and Europe. The 777 Freighter, which complements the 777 family and 747 Freighter, is Boeing’s best-selling freighter, with over 265 deliveries to date.
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Assessing the future freighter fleet
As Emirates SkyCargo prepares to receive its new 777Fs, it will retire older freighters, highlighting its commitment to operating one of the youngest and most efficient fleets worldwide. The recently announced order brings Emirates’ total order book with Boeing to 245 widebodies, including ten 777Fs. President and CEO of Boeing Commercial Planes, Stephanie Pope, said,
“We are honored that Emirates SkyCargo, renowned for operational excellence and innovation, has once again selected the Boeing 777 Freighter to extend the reach of its global network. We deeply value Emirates’ trust in the Boeing widebody family and are committed to supporting their long-term strategic growth plan.”
Photo: awg mohamad syahril | Shutterstock
Emirates is also converting ten 777-300ERs, complementing its orders and taking its freighter fleet to 17 aircraft by 2025. Harnessing the capabilities of the airline’s passenger fleet, Emirates SkyCargo will continue to facilitate the efficient movement of goods to its hundreds of destinations worldwide with its fleet of 777Fs and 747Fs, as well as the belly hold capacity of the 777s, A380s, and soon to be delivered A350s.
Emirates also has a fleet of 60 trucks, enabling the airline to operate out of two hubs: Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Dubai World Central (DWC). Emirates Sky Cargo recently celebrated ten years of dual airport operations, which were made possible by its robust trucking fleet and bonded corridor.
Photo: Emirates
The trucking system was designed to seamlessly integrate the airports, which are about 77 km apart, and offer customers a five-hour air-to-air transfer service. The fleet of trucks serves as a 24-hour rolling conveyor belt linking the bellyhold operations at DXB with the dedicated freighter operations at DWC.