Emirates Expands Cargo Fleet with Order for Boeing 777 Freighters

DUBAI — Emirates has announced a firm order for five additional Boeing 777 freighters, set to be delivered between 2025 and 2026. This latest order brings the airline’s total pending delivery of Boeing 777Fs to 14, with all units expected to arrive by the end of 2026.

In addition to the new orders, Emirates has secured a multi-year lease extension with Dubai Aerospace Enterprise for four existing Boeing 777 freighters. This strategic investment positions Emirates SkyCargo to operate a fleet of 21 production-built Boeing 777 freighters by December 2026, significantly expanding its current fleet of 11 freighters.

Emirates is also committed to enhancing its cargo capacity by converting ten passenger Boeing 777-300ERs into freighters. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group, emphasized the importance of these investments, stating, “We’re investing in new freighter aircraft to meet surging demand and provide our customers around the world with even more flexibility, connectivity, and options to leverage market opportunity.”

The demand for Emirates’ air cargo services has seen substantial growth, reflecting Dubai’s rising status as a key global logistics hub. Al Maktoum also noted that Emirates SkyCargo’s tailored solutions have been successful in addressing the diverse needs of shippers across various industries.

Stephanie Pope, President and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, expressed appreciation for Emirates’ continued investment in the Boeing widebody family, which forms the backbone of the airline’s 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,” Pope stated.

Even as Emirates welcomes new freighter aircraft, the cargo division will continue to leverage the airline’s wide-body passenger fleet, which includes Boeing 777s, 777Fs, 747Fs, A350s, and A380s. This mixed fleet will enhance the efficient and reliable movement of goods globally, offering customers greater flexibility.

The Dubai government is also planning to expand Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) to create the world’s largest hub in terms of cargo capacity. Once completed, DWC will have the ability to process 12 million tonnes of cargo annually. This development will support the nearby Logistics District, designed as an international base for global cargo and shipping companies, aligning with Dubai’s strategy to become a premier multi-modal cargo hub for air, sea, and land connections.

Looking ahead, Emirates aims to make a decision regarding its future freighter fleet for 2028-29 and beyond by the end of this calendar year, with the Boeing 777-8F and Airbus A350-1000F as leading contenders.