Business

Emirates Orders Two Boeing 777 Freighters

– Order for two 777 Freighters to boost airline’s global air cargo capability

– 777 Freighter is Boeing’s best-selling freighter of all time

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, Nov. 15, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Boeing [NYSE: BA] and Emirates today announced an order for two 777 Freighters at the 2021 Dubai Airshow, expanding the future capability of one of the world’s largest cargo airlines at a time of significant global demand for air freight.

The freighters will be operated by Emirates SkyCargo, which currently operates an all-Boeing fleet of 10 777 Freighters and also carries cargo on Emirates’ 134 777 passenger airplanes. Valued at more than $704 million at list prices, the orders were previously attributed to an unidentified customer on Boeing’s Orders and Deliveries website.

“Emirates plays a key role in making essential goods available to customers and consumers globally through the capacity available on our widebody fleet, the reach of our global network and the advanced infrastructure at our Dubai hub,” said His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman and chief executive, Emirates Airline and Group. “Today, we are delighted to announce an investment of $1 billion to further expand our freighter capacity. This underscores our commitment to supporting our customers’ requirements, and reflects our confidence in our future growth and status as one of the largest airline cargo carriers in the world.”

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The 777 Freighter – Boeing’s best-selling freighter of all time – is the world’s largest, longest-range and most capable twin-engine freighter. The airplane reduces fuel use and CO₂ emissions by 17% compared to legacy airplanes. With a range of 9,200 kilometers, the 777 Freighter can carry a maximum revenue payload of 102,000 kilograms, allowing airlines to make fewer stops and reduce landing fees on long-haul routes.

“We are honored that Emirates has once again placed its confidence in the 777 Freighter as the backbone of its global network,” said Ihssane Mounir, Boeing senior vice president of Commercial Sales and Marketing. “As the largest operator of 777 passenger and freighter models worldwide, Emirates’ success is a testament to the 777’s market-leading efficiency, improved sustainability and incredible range.”

With global supply chains in the spotlight, freight carriers continue to rely on Boeing and its complete family of new and converted freighters. Boeing airplanes currently provide more than 90% of worldwide dedicated freighter capacity. The company’s global customer base has ordered more than 300 777 Freighters since 2005, including 38 orders this year, tied to sustained demand for air cargo including expanding e-commerce.

Boeing’s 2021 Commercial Market Outlook forecasts increased demand for dedicated freighters, including new and converted models. By 2040, the global freighter fleet will be 70% larger compared with the pre-pandemic fleet, with the Middle East freighter fleet growing by 87%.

Business

Malaysia Airlines And IndiGo Sign MoU To Boost Tourism

Malaysia Airlines and IndiGo, India’s leading airline, announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for a codeshare partnership and mutual cooperation agreement.

The agreement will enable both carriers to provide customers with more options and flexibility for seamless travels between Malaysia and India. Through this cooperation, Malaysia Airlines will be able to strengthen its connectivity into India as the marketing carrier on IndiGo operated flights.

while IndiGo customers get to explore more Southeast Asia destinations through Malaysia Airlines’ extensive network. This reciprocal arrangement will allow both carriers to provide seamless connections to their customers, besides enabling them to enjoy an
integrated travel itinerary among other facilities.

Currently, Malaysia Airlines flies 71 times a week to nine major Indian hubs: New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kochi, Ahmedabad, Amritsar, and Trivandrum.

To learn more and to make travel reservations, go to the official Malaysia Airlines website at www.malaysiaairlines.com. Customers who would like to start earning Enrich Points and enjoying member-only benefits are invited to sign up for Malaysia Airlines’ renowned travel and lifestyle loyalty programme, Enrich, at www.enrich.malaysiaairlines.com. Get the Malaysia Airlines app to access the newest deals from anywhere at any time.

Airlines

These Airlines Are Eyeing New Widebody Aircraft Orders from Airbus & Boeing

Several major airlines are on the verge of making significant fleet expansions, signaling potential orders for widebody aircraft from industry giants Airbus and Boeing.

These forthcoming orders signify a pivotal moment for the aviation industry as these airlines prioritize modernizing their fleets to meet evolving demands and enhance passenger experiences.

Among these carriers, Japan Airlines (JAL) is reportedly in the final stages of negotiating a purchase for around a dozen long-haul widebody planes. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner is anticipated to feature prominently in this order as japanairlines aims to revamp its fleet, replacing aging Boeing 767 aircraft with more modern narrowbody jets to fortify its network.

Meanwhile, qatar airways is initiating discussions with both Boeing Co. and Airbus SE for a substantial order of up to 150 widebody jets. With ambitions to rejuvenate its aging long-distance fleet, Qatar Airways is eyeing a mix of airbus a350 900 and Boeing 777X models to modernize and expand its operations. While the specifics of the order remain undisclosed, the airline is poised for a substantial renewal.

Cebu Pacific, a prominent Philippine budget carrier, is poised to make a decisive move in May or June regarding its order for over 100 narrowbody aircraft. CEO Michael Szucs has indicated that the airline is weighing options between Airbus and Boeing models. The decision could see a combination of Airbus A320neo and A321neo or Boeing’s high-capacity 737 MAX 8-200 and 737 MAX 10 entering Cebu Pacific’s fleet starting from 2027.

Lastly, Korean Air is reportedly weighing an order for 20 airbus a350, potentially adding to its existing fleet of A350s following the planned merger with Asiana Airlines. Sources close to negotiations indicate that Korean Air intends to purchase approximately 20 A350 jets, with a decision expected to emerge from a pivotal board meeting held by the airline’s executives on March 21, 2024.

Aviation

Saudi Arabia’s National Airline Saudia Could Fall Under PIF Ownership

According to the report, the Public Investment Fund (PIF) of Saudi Arabia, the country’s sovereign wealth fund, is reportedly in talks to buy the national airline Saudia.

An important milestone for one of the oldest airlines in the Middle East, this prospective transfer of ownership would also apply to other businesses owned by Saudia, including as its low-cost subsidiary Flyadeal. The action is considered a component of a larger plan to strengthen the PIF’s aviation portfolio by the beginning of 2025, which might improve Saudia’s financial results and operational effectiveness.

There have also been proposals that the airline might be privatized or combined with Riyadh Air, which is already controlled by the PIF. Saudia now has a sizable fleet of over 142 aircraft and serves more than 90 locations worldwide, while the exact value of the deal is still unknown.

However, sources caution that the plan may encounter delays or even be abandoned altogether. The establishment of Riyadh Air is consistent with the PIF’s larger goal of utilizing important industries to promote Saudi Arabia’s economic diversification. Based on projections, it is possible that Riyadh Air will generate billions of dollars in value and hundreds of thousands of jobs, making it a major contributor to the kingdom’s non-oil GDP.

Recently, The UK-based construction company Mace has been selected as the delivery partner for King Salman International Airport (KSIA) in riyadh. When KSIA opens in 2030, it will be the largest airport in the world, marking a significant milestone for the aviation industry.

By 2030, the airport is forecasted to facilitate a substantial increase in annual passenger traffic, skyrocketing from 29 million to a staggering 120 million travelers. Moreover, aircraft traffic within the kingdom is anticipated to surge from 211,000 to over 1 million flights per year following the airport’s inauguration.