Emirates SkyCargo has placed an order with Boeing for two 777 Freighters. The aircraft will be delivered in April and June 2022 respectively.

Valued at more than US$704 million at list prices, the orders were previously attributed to an unidentified customer on Boeing’s orders and deliveries website.

Four of Emirates’ Boeing 777-300ER passenger aircraft will also be converted into freighters between 2023 and 2024, the company said.

Conversion work will be conducted by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) at its new site in Etihad Engineering’s MRO centre in Abu Dhabi. The first conversion is expected to begin in early 2023 and the programme is expected to conclude in 2024 with each aircraft taking up to an estimated five months.

An agreement between Emirates and IAI also includes an option for further 777-300ER conversions at a later stage.

Emirates Group’s chairman and chief executive His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum commented: “The last two years have put the spotlight on the importance of supply chain connectivity and the availability of air cargo capacity to global communities and economies.

“Emirates plays a key role in making essential goods available to customers and consumers globally through the capacity available on our widebody fleet, the reach of our global network, and the advanced infrastructure at our Dubai hub. Today, we are delighted to announce an investment of AED3.6 billion (US$ 1 billion) to further expand our freighter capacity. This underscores our commitment to supporting our customers’ requirements, and reflects our confidence in our future growth and status as one of the largest airline cargo carriers in the world.”

Boeing’s senior vice president of commercial sales and marketing Ihssane Mounir said: “We are honoured that Emirates has once again placed its confidence in the 777 Freighter as the backbone of its global network. As the largest operator of 777 passenger and freighter models worldwide, Emirates’ success is a testament to the 777’s market-leading efficiency, improved sustainability and incredible range.”

IAI’s CEO and president Boaz Levy commented: “IAI is proud to partner with the brightest minds in the region to create solutions to the global demand for cargo aircraft. IAI’s Aviation Group is currently converting the first 777-300ER aircraft, together with GECAS, in order to provide the most optimal solution for the rise in e-commerce. Emirates’ decision to select IAI for the conversion of its passenger aircraft to cargo configuration is a testament to IAI’s professional capabilities and longstanding international recognition in the field.”