DALLAS — On October 21, 2024, Emirates (EK) ordered an additional five Boeing 777 freighters, bringing the total number of pending 777F deliveries to 14. These cargo aircraft are scheduled to join Emirates’ fleet no later than 2026. This announcement comes after Boeing kept the airline’s name anonymous for its latest freighter aircraft orders last month.

Thanks to its extended range (9,200 km) as a cargo aircraft while also being the world’s largest twin-engine freighter (102 tons in freight capacity), the Boeing 777F is a perfect fit for Emirates SkyCargo operations, which plans to operate a total of 21 aircraft of the same type in the following years.

“Demand for Emirates’ air cargo services has been booming. This reflects Dubai’s growing prominence as a preferred and trusted global logistics hub, and also the success of Emirates SkyCargo’s bespoke solutions that address the needs of shippers in different industry sectors.” Said Chairman and Chief Executive, of Emirates Airline and Group, HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum.

The airline’s efforts to grow its cargo business are not limited only to new acquisitions. Emirates has recently signed a multi-year lease extension with Dubai Aerospace Enterprise, a big player in the aircraft leasing business headquartered in Dubai and with several offices worldwide. Moreover, the airline plans to convert 10 of its currently flying Boeing 777-300ERs into freighters.

Stephanie Pope, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, said, “Emirates continues to set the direction for our industry, and we deeply appreciate the trust they have placed in the Boeing widebody family to serve as the backbone of their global fleet.” “We are proud to support Emirates SkyCargo’s growth as it relies on the performance and versatility of our 777 Freighter to further connect the world, " she added.

Future Plans

The Emirati-based company has yet to announce the choice for its future freighter fleet, which is planned to be in use starting in 2028. Two candidates will likely be chosen as the main cargo aircraft type or possibly a combination of both. 

The first one is the Airbus A350-1000F, the manufacturer’s unique proposition for the large widebody freighter market in the future. This newly proposed aircraft brings the A350 passenger version’s latest technologies in terms of fuel efficiency and low CO2 emissions. The other choice is the Boeing 777-8F, with a revenue payload of 112.3 tons and 8167 km (4410 nm) range.

Moreover, plans to expand Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) are ongoing as part of the Dubai government’s efforts to create the world’s largest hub capacity-wise. These plans will contribute to the growth of the cargo business in the region by supporting nearby shipping companies, including Emirates SkyCargo. The airport will be able to process approximately 12 million tons of cargo each year.