Dubai’s Emirates Receives 100th 777-300ER From Boeing

Dubai’s Emirates has received delivery of its 100th 777-300ER (Extended Range) aircraft from planemaker Boeing, the companies announced on Wednesday.

With this delivery, Emirates will have 142 777s in operation and is the only airline in the world to operate all the 777 variants.

With a current direct backlog of 51 777-300ERs, the 777 also comprises the largest part of Emirates’ 213-strong fleet, a statement said.

“The Boeing 777-300ER is one of the most remarkable aircraft ever built, and its combination of efficiency, range and payload is second to none,” said Sir Tim Clark, president of Emirates Airline.

To date over 108 million passengers have flown on an Emirates Boeing 777-300ER, he said.

“We have 204 more Boeing 777s on order, which supports over 400,000 jobs in the US, including those from various suppliers such as General Electric which provides the GE90 engines that power all of our 777-300ERs,” Clark added.

Each 777-300ER contains approximately three million components and assemblies, with more than 65 per cent purchased through Boeing’s global supply chain. Over 500 companies around the world contribute parts for the 777, according to Boeing.

“The operating economics and long-range capability of the 777-300ER have played a prominent role in the success of Emirates’ business strategy,” said Boeing Commercial Airplanes president and CEO Ray Conner.

The 777-300ER has the highest cargo capability of any passenger airplane and is the “most fuel and cost-efficient” airplane in its class, the statement added.

At the 2013 Dubai Airshow, Emirates also became one of the launch customers for the 777X by committing to 150 airplanes. The order was finalised in July this year.

“Emirates may well be known for having the biggest Airbus A380 fleet, however, much of the airlines international network could not have been possible were it not for the 777-300ER,” said aviation analyst Saj Ahmad.

“The 777-300ER has been crucial to Emirates’ rapid expansion and it’s not a surprise that they opted for the 777X.”

He added: “As the launch customer for the 777X family, Emirates is focussing its long haul fleet around the 777 family which will replace the A380 while delivering superior fuel burn and lower seat and trip costs.”