Freighter evaluated as complement for A380Fs, while -200LR could supplement ultra-long haul passenger fleet
Emirates is evaluating the Boeing 777 Freighter as it looks to base its future cargo fleet around the Boeing twinjet and the Airbus A380. The airline is also studying the 777F's sister passenger version, the 777-200LR, as it prepares to expand its ultra-long-range fleet.
"We think the 777 and A380 freighters together will be a very neat operation," says Emirates president Tim Clark. The Dubai-based airline already has two A380-800Fs on order for delivery from 2008, and Clark says that Emirates "is looking at more A380Fs and the 777 Freighter".
Freight arm Emirates SkyCargo has six Boeing 747-200F/400Fs on wet lease from Atlas Air, and will add the first of three A310-300Fs in the middle of this year. "By 2008, we reckon we will need a fleet of 10 full-size freighters," says Clark. Timings for the additional freighter orders are unclear: "We've got some work to do. Maybe this year," says Clark.
Boeing has developed the 777F from the 777-200LR platform, and is seeking launch customers to enable it to give the 101t payload freighter a go-ahead this year and begin deliveries in late 2008.
Meanwhile, the airline is looking to order "five to six more" ultra-long-range aircraft, with the 777-200LR under evaluation along with the Airbus A340-500, of which eight are currently operated and two more on order.
Clark says the additional aircraft are needed to serve new daily services to points in Argentina and Brazil. "You have got to make a meaningful dent into the market," says Clark. "If we are going to do this, we are going to have to acquire more A340-500s, or 777s."
The carrier "has expressed an interest" in the 777-200LR, Clark says. The aircraft is the smaller, ultra-long-haul derivative of the -300ER, which is the latest addition to the Emirates fleet. The first of 30 777-300ERs for the airline arrived in Dubai last week and nine more are due by the end of the year.
ANDRZEJ JEZIORSKI/VANCOUVER & MAX KINGSLEY-JONES/LONDON
Source: Flight International
