Emirates finalized an order for 30 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, while reducing its order for the delayed 777X airliner by 24 aircraft at the beginning of the fourth day of Dubai Airshow 2019.
Back in 2013, Emirates ordered 150 of the coming Boeing 777X aircraft. But after the program faced several delays during the development phase, the manufacturer announced on November 20, that it would swap the purchase, reducing the number of 777X ordered to 126 and buying 30 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, valued at $9 billion, as a substitute.
During the 2017 edition of Dubai Airshow, Emirates agreed to buy 40 Boeing 787-10. However, the order was never finalized.
Discussing the 777x order a day before, Tim Clark, president of Emirates, said the airline expected the plane to be thoroughly tested to make sure it is safe to operate. “I want one aircraft to go through hell on Earth basically to make sure it all works,” said Clark quoted by Reuters, adding “we need to be absolutely sure that as she comes together, as she starts flying, everything is done in a manner that it should be done.”
The Dubai-based carrier remains the largest customer of the coming version of Boeing’s popular wide-body 777 jet. “We are […] pleased to reaffirm our commitment to the Boeing 777X programme and look forward to its entry into service,” said Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Emirates Chairman and Chief Executive in a press release. It is currently the largest operator of the 777 with 155 airplanes.
Earlier this week, Emirates committed to a firm order of 50 Airbus A350 XWB aircraft. At list prices, the deal is worth more than $16 billion.