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Emirates Airline has placed a further order for dedicated freighter aircraft as the carrier significantly boosts its cargo capacity.
The move comes as part of Dubai’s stated ambition to create the world’s largest cargo hub at Al Maktoum International (DWC), the new airport that will eventually replace Dubai International (DXB).
Emirates announced a firm order for five more Boeing 777Fs Oct. 21, with delivery dates through 2025 and 2026.
The order, which was previously on Boeing’s orderbooks as unidentified, comes just three months after the Dubai-based airline placed a previous order for five 777Fs. Together with earlier commitments, the airline now has 14 777Fs awaiting delivery.
Additionally, Emirates announced Oct. 21 that it has signed a multi-year lease extension with lessor Dubai Aerospace Enterprise (DAE) for four of the 11 777Fs in its existing fleet.
Based on these investments, by December 2026, the airline’s cargo arm Emirates SkyCargo expects to operate a fleet of 21 production-built Boeing 777 freighters, significantly expanding its current fleet.
Emirates also plans to convert 10 passenger 777-300ERs into freighters. The airline has said that it plans to make a decision by the end of 2024 on its future freighter fleet for 2028/29 and beyond, with the new-generation 777-8F and Airbus A350-1000F as contenders.
The major increase in air cargo capacity is part of the Dubai government’s plans to expand DWC into the world’s largest hub in terms of capacity. DWC will ultimately be able to process 12 million tons of cargo annually, supporting the fast-expanding nearby Logistics District. This will become a base for global cargo and shipping companies, and part of Dubai’s overarching plan to become what it describes as the pre-eminent multi-modal cargo hub for air, sea and land connections.
“We’re investing in new freighter aircraft to meet surging demand and provide our customers around the world with even more flexibility, connectivity, and options to leverage market opportunity,” Emirates Airline and Group chairman and CEO Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum said of the latest 777F order. “Demand for Emirates’ air cargo services has been booming. This reflects Dubai’s growing prominence as a preferred and trusted global logistics hub, and also the success of Emirates SkyCargo’s bespoke solutions that address the needs of shippers in different industry sectors.”
Boeing Commercial Airplanes president and CEO Stephanie Pope said, “Emirates continues to set the direction for our industry, and we deeply appreciate the trust they have placed in the Boeing widebody family to serve as the backbone of their global fleet.”
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