Dubai’s Emirates Airline, recognized as one of the largest cargo carriers globally, is moving forward with an expansion of its Boeing 777F freighter fleet to meet the expected surge in global cargo demand. According to industry sources, the airline has placed fresh orders for additional 777F freighters, despite ongoing tensions with Boeing over delivery delays of the next-generation 777X passenger jets.
Boeing confirmed it had received orders for 11 777F freighters in September from undisclosed buyers, and sources have revealed that Emirates is among those customers. However, both the airline and Boeing have declined to comment on the specifics of the deal.
Emirates has been a long-time operator of the Boeing 777 family and holds the title of the largest customer for the delayed 777X model, which Boeing recently announced will be pushed back to 2026 due to ongoing industrial challenges. Tim Clark, President of Emirates Airline, recently expressed frustration over the cumulative six-year delay of the 777X, adding to the complexities surrounding the airline’s fleet expansion.
Currently, Emirates operates around a dozen Boeing 777F freighters, with four more on order, and is leasing four 747 freighters with crews to meet rising demand. As the airline looks ahead, it’s in discussions to further grow its cargo fleet, considering the freighter versions of the newer Airbus A350 and Boeing’s future 777X models. Emirates aims to triple its cargo fleet by 2030 to keep pace with the global demand for air freight.
A senior Emirates executive recently hinted at upcoming announcements regarding further investments in freighters. Meanwhile, analysts point out that the delays in passenger planes have further fueled the need for dedicated freighter aircraft. As a significant amount of air cargo typically travels in the bellies of passenger jets, the shortage of passenger planes has shifted focus toward freighters.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) reported that average global cargo yields increased by 12% in August, marking the highest growth in over two years. This uptick in cargo yields underlines the growing demand for freighter capacity, especially as passenger plane production faces delays from both Boeing and Airbus.
