Boeing

In a joint announcement today, The Boeing Company confirmed Emirates, the international airline of the United Arab Emirates, has committed to lease a Rolls-Royce-powered 777-300 from International Lease Finance Corporation (ILFC). This airplane will join nine 777-200s currently in service, as well as two 777-300s delivering later this year. This brings the Emirates 777 fleet to 12 airplanes.

"The introduction of the 777-300 into the Emirates fleet this year will make Emirates the first airline in the world to operate all three members of the 777 family," said Seddik Belyamani, Boeing Commercial Airplanes Group executive vice president - Sales and Marketing. "This expanded 777 relationship between Emirates and Boeing will help establish a partnership for the new millennium."

Emirates will operate the 777-200 airplane, the 777-200ER and the 777-300 by the end of the year.

"The 777 is a marvelous airplane for Emirates and is highly rated by our passengers and staff," said Emirates Chairman H.E. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum. "The 777-300 will become a key ingredient in our service expansion plans to major European and Asian markets. The low operating cost and passenger-pleasing features are the reason we selected the 777-300."

The lease agreement was signed during a brief ceremony and news conference at the Boeing chalet at the 43rd International Paris Air Show.

"The 777 is a premier airplane and the core of the widebody fleet we are proud to own," said ILFC CEO Steven F. Udvar-Hazy. "Our relationship with Boeing and our customers is excellent, and we are proud to extend this relationship to our customer - Emirates."

The 777 is the most advanced airplane in the world and the only airplane in history to be ETOPS (extended-range, twin-engine operations)-approved at entry into service. It features advanced alloys and composites that greatly improve durability and corrosion resistance and lower maintenance costs. The flight deck incorporates technical advances that significantly reduce training time for airlines. Because of the versatility of the Boeing 777 family of airplanes, the passenger cabin can be converted to meet market demands by modifying the number and arrangement of seats and size of classes.

Twenty-eight customers worldwide have placed orders for nearly 430 777s. Since its launch in 1990, the Boeing 777 has been selected by passengers as the most preferred airplane in its class.