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Aircraft industry

Emirates Places $3.3 Billion Order for Boeing 747-8 Cargo Aircraft

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Emirates, a leading Middle Eastern airline, has signed a deal with Boeing to purchase 10 747-8 cargo aircraft, expanding its cargo operations and challenging Airbus's dominance in the market. The aircraft, valued at $3.3 billion at list prices, will feature General Electric engines and are scheduled for delivery between 2010 and 2014. This order is seen as a significant support for Boeing's counter-attack against Airbus, following the launch of the 747-8 as a rival to the Airbus A380 superjumbo.

Key Takeaways:

  • Emirates has placed an order for 10 Boeing 747-8 cargo aircraft, valued at $3.3 billion at list prices, with General Electric engines.
  • The aircraft are scheduled for delivery between 2010 and 2014, supporting Emirates' rapid expansion into the top ranks of cargo airlines.
  • The 747-8 has a significant advantage over the Airbus A380, with a nose door that makes it easier to accommodate large items of cargo, such as jet engines.
  • Emirates has been expanding its operations, and this order marks a significant increase in its cargo capacity.
  • The deal is seen as significant support for Boeing's counter-attack against Airbus, following the launch of the 747-8 as a rival to the Airbus A380 superjumbo.
  • Boeing has secured 18 firm orders for the 747-8, worth $5 billion, from two all-cargo airlines, Cargolux and Nippon Cargo Airlines.
  • The 747-8 passenger version, which can seat 450 people, has not yet secured a launch customer, but Boeing is hopeful of signing a customer before the end of the year.
  • International carriers such as British Airways, Cathay Pacific, and Japan Airlines, which already operate the 747-400, may be interested in the 747-8 passenger version.

Statistics:

  • $3.3 billion: Value of the order at list prices
  • 10: Number of 747-8 cargo aircraft ordered by Emirates
  • 2010-2014: Scheduled delivery dates for the aircraft
  • 18: Number of firm orders secured by Boeing for the 747-8
  • $5 billion: Value of the 18 firm orders
  • 450: Number of seats on the passenger version of the 747-8

Sources:

  • "Emirates orders 10 Boeing 747-8 cargo jets" by Reuters
  • "Boeing gets $5 billion order for 747-8 jets" by Bloomberg

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