Emirates, Etihad airlines to get new Boeing aircrafts

Aviation giant, Boeing will deliver 11-15, 777-300ER aircrafts to the Emirates Airlines and Etihad Airways in the next five months, said a top company executive.

"The Emirates Airlines will receive 6-10 aircraft with a list price of $1.5 billion, while five aircraft will be delivered to Etihad Airways having a list price of $1.2 billion", said Lee Monson, vice president of Boeing airplane sales, Middle East and Africa.

He added that Etihad Airways will receive the first delivery in October followed by two other deliveries in November and December.

The Emirates Airlines which already received two aircrafts in March wants to increase its fleet through lease and direct purchases by late 2007, making it one of the world's largest 777 operators.

Monson also said that Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) will also get its first 777-200LR Worldliner in January 2006.

"To-date, four airlines have ordered or announced commitments for the Worldliner — PIA, EVA Airways, Air Canada and Air India. Orders and commitments for the 777-200LR have more than tripled since the airplane was unveiled in February 2005", he said.

He said that the 777-200LR will enable airlines to launch new non-stop flights. "Non-stop travel is set to grow over the next couple of decades and Boeing’s product strategy, which includes the Worldliner, will help airlines leverage this trend. "

Source: aljazeera.com