Emirates SkyCargo, the cargo arm of Dubai-based Emirates airline announced October 21st a latest order to Boeing for five additional 777 Freighters. It is the second order of the type from Emirates this year after the five aircraft ordered on July 16th 2024. This latest order whose delivery date has been set for the year 2025-2026, brings the airline order book for the type to 14 aircraft. The carrier is expected to take the delivery of at least four 777 Freighters by year’s end, and another freighter is expected to arrive in 2025, all from previous aircraft orders.
In this latest announcement, the airline insisted that it remains committed to its investment on the conversion of 10 of its Boeing 777-300ER passenger aircraft into freighters, although without specifying delivery dates. Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) which has been developing the passenger to freighter conversion is expected to achieve a Supplemental Type Certification by year’s end or early next year.
Finally, the company’s announcement reminded that a definitive decision selecting the future Emirates SkyCargo freighter platform between the Airbus A350F and the Boeing 777-8F for delivery in 2028-2029 was to be expected by year’s end.
- At 70.80 m length, the A350F is expected to carry 111 tonnes including 30 palets on the main deck at a range of 4,697 nmi (8,700 km)
- At 70 m length, the 777-8F is expected to carry 112 tonnes including 31 pallets on the main deck at a range of 4,410 nmi (8,167 km)
- At 63,7 m length the 777F is carrying 102 tonnes including 27 pallets on the main deck at a range of 4,970 nmi or (9,204 km)
- At 73 m length the freighter conversion of the Boeing 77-300ER is expected to carry 120 tonnes including 32 pallets on the main deck at a range of 4,650 nmi or (8,611 km)
As the data suggest, converting the Boeing 777-300ER into a fully dedicated freighter will provide the most capacity while retaining the operating economics of the current Boeing 777F fleet. Emirates which has been known as the world’s largest operator of the type with probably 126 aircraft in its fleet at peak strength will thus be ideally positioned to more easily source airframes for potential conversions. However it is clear that selecting the right platform for the long-term future between the A350F and Boeing 777-8F will depend entirely on the advances made on their respective development programs.