Air Transport

UAE carrier Emirates has placed firm orders for 70 Airbus A350 XWB aircraft, eleven further A380s and a dozen more Boeing 777-300ERs.

Emirates revealed the order today on the first day of the Dubai air show.

It has ordered 50 Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-powered A350-900s and 20 of the A350-1000s. It has also taken options on a further 50 of the type. Deliveries will begin in 2014.

Its latest commitment to the Engine Alliance GP7200-powered A380 includes the firming up of eight options and three additional orders. It takes its orders for the A380 to 58.

The carrier is also taking 12 more General Electric GE90-powered 777-300ERs. The carrier already operates 53 Boeing 777s and with this order now has 57 on order.

Emirates Chairman and CEO Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al-Maktoum says: “Emirates is committing close to $35 billion today for new aircraft. Our total order includes 93 aircraft on firm order and 50 on option. Once again, Emirates is making aviation history.”