Emirates airline is considering the purchase of as many as 100 long-haul aircraft from The Boeing Co. in a deal that could be worth $30 billion.
According to a report from the Financial Times, the carrier is looking at Boeing’s new 777X as part of an upgrade to its existing fleet of 187 wide-body jets. A number of order announcements with both Boeing and Airbus are expected to be made at the Dubai Air Show next month.
Boeing and Emirates have been in talks over the 777X for some time now. Emirates’ president, Tim Clark, said in the Financial Times report that negotiations are in a “relatively advanced stage” and that a “substantive order for the new 777” could be expected.
“We do not comment on speculation,” an Emirates Airline spokesperson told CNBC when asked about the story on Monday.
A $30 billion order would be the largest passenger jet order in Boeing’s history, topping the previous record of $22.4 billion with Lion Air in 2012. The Boeing 777X will be an upgrade to the popular 777, building on the industry trend of more fuel-efficient engines. It would gradually replace the Dubai carrier’s existing 777 fleet from 2020 onwards.
Emirates Airline is already the world’s largest operator of the Boeing 777 and the Airbus A380. The airline is expected to make a major announcement at the upcoming Dubai Airshow, especially since the event is being held at the new Al Maktoum International Airport. Analysts also expect Etihad Airways of neighboring Abu Dhabi, the flag-carrier of the United Arab Emirates, to also announce an order soon — November 12 marks the 10th anniversary of the airline’s maiden flight.
