Boeing gets $3.2b Emirates order

Dubai: Boeing came up short against archrival Airbus in the battle for Emirates orders yesterday but vowed it was still in contention for other business from the Dubai carrier.

The Seattle firm took in a $3.2 billion order for 12 Boeing 777-300ER aircraft from Emirates. By contrast, Emirates placed a record-breaking $31.7 billion order with Airbus for 131 aircraft - the largest civil aviation contract in history.

The airline said it plans to use the 777 aircraft as the backbone of its long range fleet and serve the Americas, the Far East and Australia.

Emirates currently has 53 777s in its fleet. With yesterday's announcement Emirates now has another 57 on order, and the news reaffirms its faith in the long-range airplane and also makes the airline the largest 777 customer.

Shaikh Ahmad Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman and chief executive of Emirates Airline and Group, praised the 777's efficiency and the way it serves the airline's route network in a flexible manner.

The Boeing deal includes an engine order for GE90-115B engines valued at more than $725 million at list prices, with deliveries beginning in 2009.

Emirates also chose to purchase a 12-year solution service for maintenance and overhaul of the engines, worth more than $380 million over the life of the contract.

"We didn't have the airplane they wanted at this time," said Scott Carson, chief executive of Boeing Commercial Airplane.

"That still leaves open an opportunity 747-8 airplane and we intend to compete aggressively for that product." Another Boeing official told Gulf News it was also still in the running for the largest version of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

"I believe there is an opportunity for the 787," he said. "We're just going to see if we can't work together with Emirates and make it fit."