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Emirates Airline kickstarted the 2023 Dubai Airshow with a groundbreaking announcement—ordering 95 Boeing aircraft valued at an impressive $52 billion. The state-owned flagship, a subsidiary of the Emirates Group, is diversifying its fleet with an order for 55 additional Boeing 777-9s and 35 777-8s, solidifying its commitment to the 777X wide-body jets with a total order of 205 units. Additionally, the airline is expanding its Dreamliner fleet, updating the previous order from 30 to 35, consisting of 15 787-10s and 20 787-8s.
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In tandem with the aircraft order, Emirates confirmed an additional order of 202 General Electric GE9X engines to power the new 777X aircraft, bringing the total GE9X engine order to an impressive 460. As the largest operator of Boeing 777 aircraft globally, Emirates' latest order reaffirms its position. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and CEO of Emirates Airline and Group, expressed enthusiasm, emphasizing the integral role of the 777 in connecting cities worldwide non-stop to Dubai. The first 777-9 is expected to join the fleet in 2025, extending the longstanding partnership between Emirates and Boeing.
Why it matters
Emirates' sustained appetite for wide-body jets emphasizes the Middle East's pivotal role in the demand for these aircraft models. Analysts at AllianceBernstein note that Middle East customers now represent the largest portion, accounting for 30% of the global total wide-body passenger backlog, underscoring the region's importance as a connection hub for long-haul journeys.