Boeing and Dubai-based Emirates airline are today celebrating the delivery of the airline’s 100th 777-300ER (Extended Range) aircraft.

The delivery marks another milestone in a partnership that began over two decades ago when the Dubai-based airline ordered its first 777, Boeing said.

With this delivery, Emirates will have 142 777s in operation and is the only airline in the world to operate all the 777 variants. With a current direct backlog of fifty-one 777-300ERs, the 777 also comprises the largest part of Emirates’ 213-strong fleet.

 “The Boeing 777-300ER is one of the most remarkable aircraft ever built, and its combination of efficiency, range and payload is second to none. Our customers are equally excited by the aircraft and its on-board product, and to date over 108 million passengers have flown on an Emirates Boeing 777-300ER,” said Sir Tim Clark, president of Emirates airline.

“We have 204 more Boeing 777s on order, which supports over 400,000 jobs in the United States of America, including those from various suppliers such as General Electric which provides the GE90 engines that power all of our 777-300ERs,” said Clark.

Today’s 777-300ER is the most fuel and cost-efficient airplane in its class departing on time 99.5 per cent of the time making it the most reliable twin-aisle aircraft in the world, the company said. It also has the highest cargo capability of any passenger airplane.
 “We are proud of our long-term relationship with Emirates and for the confidence they have in Boeing’s products and services beginning with the 777 and continuing with the 777X in the years to come,” said Boeing Commercial Airplanes president and CEO Ray Conner. “The operating economics and long-range capability of the 777-300ER have played a prominent role in the success of Emirates’ business strategy.”

At the 2013 Dubai Airshow, Emirates became one of the launch customers for the 777X by committing to 150 airplanes. The order was finalised in July of this year.  

Each 777-300ER contains approximately three million components and assemblies, with more than 65 per cent purchased through Boeing’s global supply chain.  More than 500 companies around the world contribute parts for the 777, with a significant percentage in the US. – TradeArabia News Service