Dubai-based Emirates Airline is in discussions with Boeing to place a commercial order for more than 100 long-distance passenger aircraft, worth more than $30bn.
The Gulf carrier is negotiating with the aircraft manufacturer to be the launch customer for Boeing’s proposed new 777X, the upgraded version of 777 wide-body jet.
Emirates Airline president Tim Clark told the Financial Times that the company is at a relatively advanced stage of commercial negotiations, and there will be a substantive order for the new 777.
The 777X could have a list price of about $400m, Clark said.
The airline is planning to order between 100 and 175 fuel-efficient 777Xs.
However, another source familiar with the discussions told the publication that Emirates is more likely to order nearly 100 aircraft rather than 175.
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By GlobalDataThe carrier is deciding on whether to buy both the proposed 777X versions, the 777-8X and 777-9X, which will carry 350 and 400 passengers respectively.
Meanwhile, the Dubai-based airline is considering buying additional long-haul aircraft from Airbus such as A380 superjumbos and planned new A350 aircraft.
Emirates has so far ordered 90 A380 jets and has a long-standing interest in buying another 20 superjumbos, Clark told Financial Times.
Emirates Airline is expected to announce deals with Boeing and Airbus at Dubai air show in November.
Established in 1985, state-run Emirates has the largest fleet of wide-body passenger aircraft worldwide, according to the International Air Transport Association.
As of 31 March, Emirates operated 187 wide-body passenger jets.
Image: Emirates Airline will announce deals with Boeing and Airbus at Dubai air show in November 2013. Photo: courtesy of Arpingstone.
